The CoB released a report showing that 10 out of 47 counties spent zero funds on development under the reviewed period. "Analysis of development expenditure as a proportion of the approved annual development budget revealed that 10 county governments did not report any expenditure on development programmes," reads the report.
The counties, include Johnson Sakaja's Nairobi, Baringo (Benjamin Cheboi), Elgeyo Marakwet (Wesley Rotich), Kajiado (Joseph Ole Lenku), Kisii (Simba Arati), Lamu (Isa Timamy), Nyandarua (Moses Badilisha), Tana River (Dhadho Godhana), Uasin Gishu (Jonathan Bii Chelilim), and West Pokot (Simon Kachapin).
The report, covering the period from July to September this year, showed that all 47 counties had been allocated a total of Sh576.73 billion, comprising Sh205.33 billion for development expenditure and Sh371.4 billion for recurrent expenditure.
CoG Chair and Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi termed the report as misleading. "Counties received zero exchequer releases from the National Treasury during the quarter. Any development done during that quarter was funded from last full year's arrears while most counties were forced to go for short-term loans from commercial banks to pay salaries and sustain service delivery," said Abdullahi.
In the report, Nyakang'o, however, expressed concerns that a majority of the devolved units had opened multiple bank accounts, which not only made it hard for her office to account for but also prone to use as conduits of corruption as they went against the Public Finance Management Act.
Bungoma County government, led by Governor Ken Lusaka, was flagged for operating 300 bank accounts contrary to law, while Baringo County, under Benjamin Cheboi, operates 292 accounts. Of these, 256 are said to be for health facilities only.
Additionally, Machakos County, headed by Governor Wavinya Ndeti has 221 accounts.
Elgeyo Marakwet, headed by Wisley Rotich, was also highlighted for operating 155 commercial bank accounts, Kajiado, led by Joseph Ole Lenku has 50, Cecily Mbarire's Embu 46, Fernandes Barasa's Kakamega 44, while Fatuma Achani's Kwale and Ochillo Ayacko's Migori are operating 64 and 76 bank accounts respectively.