Amber Phillips
Updated on: October 16, 2024 1:27 pm GMT
Recent statements from Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi could shake up how governors manage their offices. Mbadi urges county leaders to reconsider the number of advisory positions they have established in their government structures. He believes these positions add no value while contributing to a ballooning wage bill that many counties are struggling to manage.
Cutting Down on Excessive Advisory Roles
Mbadi raised concerns that some governors have created advisory offices simply because similar positions exist within the national government. This trend is driving up costs and diverting resources from essential services.
- “I want to dissuade you from borrowing bad manners from the national government,” Mbadi stated during a meeting with the Council of Governors (CoG).
- He pointed out that nine advisors or technocrats in a single office can lead to inefficiency.
- “If they are not up to the task, they should be removed from office,” he added.
Instead of blindly replicating national structures, Mbadi encourages governors to streamline their governments. He argues that many of these advisory roles are redundant and do not contribute to effective governance.
Budget Oversight and Fund Disbursement Challenges
In addition to advising on employment practices, Mbadi emphasized the need for better budget management. He addressed issues around how counties withdraw funds and manage their finances.
The Controller of Budget, Dr. Margaret Nyakang’o, recently blocked Sh5.16 billion in requests from counties, highlighting systemic issues:
- Counties failed to deduct required taxes.
- Documentation was often falsified or incomplete.
- Many did not prioritize paying off pending bills.
All 47 counties must get approval from the Controller of Budget before withdrawing money. This legal requirement aims to ensure that funds are used correctly and responsibly.
Moving Towards Financial Accountability
The rejection of several requisitions underscores the ongoing financial challenges counties face. Improper financial practices have led to billions of shillings being unaccounted for or mismanaged, raising questions about how public funds are being handled.
- Counties are required to seek approval for any withdrawals from their County Revenue Fund.
- This revenue fund comprises all earnings received by the counties, emphasizing that transparency and accountability are crucial in local governance.
Future Steps for Devolution
Mbadi laid out his vision for a more efficient and transparent financial system in the counties. He believes that the disbursement bottlenecks must be resolved to support devolution effectively.
- He asserted, “Once funds have been transferred… subsequent processes must remain seamless.”
- Mbadi promised that by December 2024, all disbursements should be up-to-date, with no pending issues, allowing counties to operate without financial strain.
He acknowledged that the habit of finance officers rushing to Nairobi for fund disbursement needs to be corrected. A streamlined process can establish better governance and support local leaders in their roles.
Conclusion
John Mbadi wants to change how counties run their advisory roles and budgets. He believes that cutting down on unnecessary advisory jobs and improving financial oversight can help ease the money struggles that counties deal with. It’s really important for local governments to be efficient and clear about how they use their money, especially when they are trying to provide essential services. As this conversation goes on, the future of county governance will focus on being responsible and accountable with public funds.
