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{
    "id": 768574,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/768574/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 59,
    "type": "other",
    "speaker_name": "",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "According to the Controller of Budget report it was noted that some counties such as Meru County failed to disclose revenue collected through agriculture mechanization, services and agriculture training centers. Some of the counties also collected revenue and utilized it at the source. One of the counties mentioned is Isiolo County, where I come from. Mr. Speaker, Sir, according to this report, some of the counties have utilized more than what has been approved by the Controller of Budget, contrary to Section 109 of the PFM Act. Five counties, namely, Nairobi, Kiambu, Isiolo, Wajir and Kilifi were found to have spent more funds than what was approved by the Controller of Budget for withdrawal. This is clearly contravention of Article 228 of the Constitution that requires withdrawal of funds only with the authorization of the Controller of Budget. This House needs to look into that matter because a county should not withdraw more than what was authorized by the Controller of Budget. I would also like to raise the issue of health. There is a big problem in the health sector in most counties. Some counties have very few doctors dealing with many patients and some hospitals lack necessary equipment and medication. A lot of money that is approved by this particular House and the national Government goes to the health sector. I do not see why this should happen. According to the Controller of Budget Report, in some cases, the machines are available, but members of staff were not in place. I do not see why these machines are bought when there are no personnel in place. Furthermore, in other cases, the machines were dilapidated. We do not need to have equipment in hospitals that is not functioning, yet we approve a lot of money to go to the health sector. This is across the board in many counties. This House needs to do something about the health sector which is going down in some of the counties. A total of 34 counties reported expenditure on personal emoluments that exceeded 35 per cent of the total expenditure for the Financial Year 2015/2016. Therefore, the COB notes that the high wage bill is unsustainable and will negatively affect spending on development activities. Most of the governors are becoming unpopular today because they are laying off a number of staff. If I may give the example of some of the audit reports that we have received from some of the counties, some of the people are even recruiting their house helps as staff of the counties, and the money is paid from the taxpayers’ money. This should not happen. You will find that many counties have employed staff who are not in place. A lot of money that is meant for development is utilized for purposes of personal emoluments. We need to audit this issue once we get facilitation. The county governments should ensure that the expenditure on personal emoluments is contained within sustainable levels, in compliance with Regulation 25(1) (b) of the PFM Act and The County Governments Regulation, 2015. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the other concern raised by the Controller of Budget is delay in submission of the financial reports. I do not see why this report should delay. The law is very clear. Section 166(4) of the PFM Act, 2012 requires that the county treasury to prepare and submit financial reports to the office of the Controller of Budget not later than one month after the end of each quarter. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes"
}