Donors warn counties on fund use

Donors on Tuesday took governors to task over the use of development funds.

Speaking at a development partners meeting presided over by Deputy President William Ruto, US ambassador Robert Godec, British High Commissioner Christian Turner and World Bank Country Director Diarietou Gaye, demanded that governors ensure funds given to county governments are not embezzled.

Coming in the wake of a World Bank report that ranked counties in terms of their budget allocations for development, it was expected that the findings would dominate debate during yesterday’s meeting which brought together governors, donors and government officials.

DEFENDED REPORT

On average, according to the report, most counties spent 21 per cent on development, 46 per cent on salaries and 30 per cent on administration.

Ms Gaye defended the report and warned that donors will not compromise on accountability and the proper use of public resources.

“As World Bank, we will continue to oversight utilisation of resources by county and national governments,” she said. Mr Godec said the US government would assist counties in governance and public participation, while Dr Turner asked the devolved units to utilise public resources prudently.

“We can only say devolution has succeeded if Wanjiku (the public) feels the impact,” said Dr Turner.

But Council of Governors Chairman Isaac Ruto and Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria insisted that all county governments had allocated 30 per cent of funds to development.

Mr Ruto maintained that counties had not misused any funds and that any monies earmarked for development that were not utilised by the end of the last financial year had been rolled over to the following year.

DEVOLUTION ON TRACK

Also speaking at the meeting, Constitution Implementation Commission Chairperson Charles Nyachae acknowledged that devolution was on track but warned that disharmony within county governments would derail its full realisation.

“There is need for intra-government harmony where county assemblies and executives read from the same script,” said Mr Nyachae.

The Deputy President said the government was making laws to ensure proper functioning of devolution.

Mr Ruto said the government was helping counties develop their human resource capacity, proper management of resources and funds and digital transaction systems.

Mr Ruto said the aim of the digital transaction system was to minimise wastage and eliminate corruption.