The recently released Controller of Budget (CoB) report has exposed shocking mismanagement of public funds and questionable financial practices by various county governments in Kenya.
These revelations highlight a worrying trend of governance failures, lack of accountability, and blatant disregard for financial regulations across the devolved units.
In Bungoma County, Governor Ken Lusaka is on the spot for operating an astonishing 300 bank accounts, which the report flags as suspicious since they are not under the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) as required by law.
Such an excessive number of accounts raises questions about their purpose and the transparency of financial operations within the county.
It paints a grim picture of possible financial malpractices or hidden dealings that compromise the integrity of public administration in Bungoma.
Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok has been implicated in another concerning revelation.
Besides managing 17 bank accounts, he is accused of paying Ksh.27 million in personal emoluments using a manual payroll system.
This archaic approach opens up opportunities for abuse and misappropriation of funds, suggesting a deliberate attempt to bypass modern, transparent systems.
Such actions only deepen concerns about the misuse of taxpayer money in counties like Bomet.
Other counties, such as Elgeyo Marakwet, Kajiado, Embu, Kakamega, Kwale, and Migori, are also operating numerous unauthorized bank accounts in commercial banks.
For instance, Elgeyo Marakwet alone manages 155 accounts, while Kajiado has 50,
This chaotic financial management indicates systemic issues that enable poor governance and undermine public confidence in county administrations.
These accounts are not only unlawful but also foster an environment ripe for corruption and embezzlement of funds meant for development projects.
The report further reveals disparities in how counties allocated and spent development funds.
While some counties like Narok, Kirinyaga, and Busia allocated big amounts Ksh.477 million, Ksh.378 million, and Ksh.328 million, respectively ten counties spent absolutely nothing on development during the period under review.
Nairobi, Kajiado, Baringo, Lamu, Uasin Gishu, and West Pokot were among those that failed to invest a single shilling in improving the lives of their residents.
This lack of commitment to development undermines the entire purpose of devolution.
Revenue collection has also emerged as a major concern, with most counties failing to meet their targets.
For instance, while Tana River collected 81% of its target, Narok achieved only 60%, and counties like Samburu and Garissa performed even worse, collecting 36% and 27%, respectively.
These figures reflect inefficiencies and possible under-declaration of collections, further eroding public trust in county governments.
The situation is exacerbated by the persistent issue of pending bills.
Nairobi County leads with a staggering Ksh.121 billion in unpaid debts, followed by Garissa at Ksh.6 billion, Kiambu at Ksh.5.9 billion, and Turkana at Ksh.4.8 billion.
These unpaid bills not only cripple service providers but also stall development projects, effectively paralyzing progress in these counties.
Despite repeated recommendations from the Senate to prioritize pending bills, governors continue to neglect this obligation, worsening the financial crisis.
The CoB report exposes a dire need for accountability and financial discipline in county governments.
Governors must be held to account for their reckless spending, mismanagement, and failure to comply with legal requirements.
Without swift action, the dream of devolution risks becoming a nightmare for millions of Kenyans.
