Counties spent bulk of funds on travel and allowances

Kitui governor’s office is the leading spender of public funds in the county, according to a new report by the Controller of Budget.

The office of governor Julius Malombe spent Sh128 million within the first quarter of the current financial year, with the County Assembly spending Sh62 million and treasury Sh28.9 million.

The report further revealed that the bulk of Baringo County’s operations and maintenance expenditure went to purchase of motor vehicles, taking up Sh40.3 million, while Sh27.2 million was spent on travel.

Busia County spent Sh208 million of the disbursed Sh358.5 million on recurrent expenditure, with the executive taking up Sh137 million while Sh71.1 million went to the County Assembly.

Meanwhile, Embu County owes the national government Sh339.6 million incurred on payment of salaries for seconded staff.

Garissa County spent Sh44.6 million on travel, while Sh48 million went to purchase of motor vehicles.

The report says Homa Bay County spent Sh30.9 million on travel, with Sh13.6 million going towards sitting allowances of MCAs.

The county owes the national government Sh236 million, which was for salaries of seconded staff.

In Isiolo, the report says the county government projected an unrealistic revenue collection and suffered a budget deficit of Sh215 million.

At the same time, the Controller of Budget recommended an audit in Kajiado County following reports of misappropriation of funds.

In Kiambu, the county spent Sh299 million on personnel emoluments and owes the national government Sh650 million.

The report further revealed that Makueni County spent Sh52.2 million without exchequer releases, which means the officials accessed funds without approval.