The Controller of Budget’s report for the first quarter of the fiscal year 2023/24 sheds light on the neglect of development initiatives by nine Kenyan governors.
Among them, Johnson Sakaja of Nairobi, Wavinya Ndeti of Machakos, Gideon Mung’aro of Kilifi, and six others have failed to allocate any funds towards development, instead channeling resources solely into salaries and recurrent expenditures.
The report exposes that these governors collectively utilized only 3.7 percent of the annual development budget, leaving an astonishing Sh6.92 billion untouched for vital growth programs.
The Controller of Budget, Margaret Nyakang’o, stresses that 11 counties reported zero expenditure on development during this period.
Of particular concern is Nairobi, where the entire Sh3.45 billion budget was allocated to recurrent expenditures, leaving residents without essential development projects.
This stark deviation from the Public Finance Management law, which mandates at least 35 percent spending on development, is alarming. Overall, the expenditure by all 47 counties amounted to a mere 10.2 percent during the three-month period.
Governors Susan Kihika of Nakuru, Mutula Kilonzo Jr of Makueni, and Ken Lusaka of Bungoma committed less than 1 percent of their budgets to development, highlighting a broader trend of prioritizing salaries and allowances over progress.
Governor Kihika, for instance, spent only 0.45 percent of the total budget on development, underscoring a significant disparity in priorities.
The report further discloses that out of the Sh67.47 billion disbursed between July and September, a mere Sh6.9 billion was allocated to development, while recurrent spending constituted a staggering Sh60.56 billion.
This disturbing trend raises pertinent questions about governance and accountability, as citizens in these 13 counties grapple with a severe shortage of development initiatives.
As the report underscores the imperative need for adherence to spending guidelines, it becomes increasingly clear that urgent measures are required to ensure that public funds are directed towards projects that uplift communities and foster sustainable growth.
The findings highlight a critical need for enhanced oversight and strategic allocation of resources to address the pressing developmental challenges facing these counties.
In the face of this revelation, citizens and stakeholders are left calling for transparency, efficiency, and a renewed commitment to channeling funds where they are most needed for the betterment of communities.
