EXPERT COMMENT: CoB should be tough on county spending
This commentary argues that Kenya's Controller of Budget must adopt a more proactive role in enforcing fiscal discipline within county governments. It suggests that oversight institutions should focus on structural solutions and technology-driven monitoring to prevent the recurring misuse of public funds.
Why it matters
Effective financial oversight is critical for the success of Kenya's devolution, which aims to bring resources and decision-making closer to the public.
The current state of devolution raises serious questions about fiscal discipline and accountability in county governments.
Governors and MCAs are public officials, but they are also Kenyans who must be held accountable for how public resources are spent.
A key concern is the role of the Controller of Budget. If the office approves expenditure and later raises concerns over how the money is spent, questions arise about where the gap in oversight lies.
This does not necessarily invalidate the concerns raised by the CoB, but it highlights the need for stronger mechanisms to ensure approvals are followed by effective monitoring.
Slightly over a decade after the advent of devolution, counties continue to face recurring problems, including pending bills, alleged misuse of public funds, diversion of approved resources and excessive recurrent expenditure.
Concerns over county wage bills exceeding recommended thresholds have also persisted since the first cycle of devolved governments.
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