Are county governments being set up for funds misappropriation?

The decision by the treasury to release Ksh 65 Billion to the counties could be a recipe for misappropriation given the short time that the counties have to spend the monies before the start of the next financial year.

Addressing the press at his Karen Office in the company of eight County Governors, Ruto said Treasury was on the final process of releasing the cash.

What needs to be known is that the monies ought to have been given to the counties earlier as it was budgeted for this financial year.

Previously, monies that have not been spent by the counties are returned to the exchequer when the new financial year starts. Unless the treasury and the counties enter into an agreement on the period the 65Billion shillings will be spent, most of the monies will be returned to the treasury.

During the early Tuesday meeting, the DP said suppliers whose payments have been flagged as ineligible by the Auditor General will have their issues heard and addressed by a special appeal committee in every county.

The meeting was attended by Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich, Auditor General Edward Ouko, Controller of Budget Agnes Odhiambo, Council of Governors Chairman Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega), Governors Wycliffe Wangamati (Bungoma), Ferdinand Waititu (Kiambu), Amason Kingi (Kilifi), Samwel Tunai (Narok), Mutahi Kahiga (Nyeri), Sospeter Ojaamong (Busia) and Ndiritu Muriithi (Laikipia).

Also in attendance were Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) Chair Jane Kiringai, Deputy Governors Joash Maangi (Kisii) and Titus Ntuchiu (Meru).

The meeting further agreed to discuss the collapsed talks between the National Assembly and the Senate for shareable revenues to counties next Monday.

“Legally, we have to start afresh. However, we have taken the initiative to progress under the guidance of the Deputy President,” said Oparanya, who added that counties are under pressure to finalize their budgets by the end of the month.

 “Every arm of government will sort out these bills to alleviate challenges contractors and suppliers have been facing,” Oparanya told the meeting.

The pending bills committee will look at the contentious Sh37 billion that the Auditor General flagged out.

Oparanya said the report on county assets and liabilities was ready, arguing that the ministry of lands will provide expertise on land owned by counties, and their approximate worth. The exercise, he said, would be supervised by the ministry of devolution.

Tags

Share Article

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

By Same Author