Dr. Margaret Nyakang'o, the budget controller, is doubting how the government spent Ksh. Fifty-one billion in just six months without getting approval from the National Assembly or her office.
In her report on government spending for the first half of this fiscal year, Dr. Nyakang'o reveals that the government overspent on additional funds by taking advantage of a legal loophole.
The report reveals that the government spent an astounding Ksh.51 billion over six months on expenses, some of which were not emergencies, operating under the auspices of Article 223 of the Constitution, which permits ministries, departments, and agencies to access additional funding if the amount appropriated is insufficient or if a need has arisen.
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State House renovations are one of the costs incurred under this provision. According to the report, the State House obtained Ksh. Seven hundred million will be needed on October 23 to build a contemporary presidential dais.
Ksh. 400 million was given to the State House in July so they could buy cars.
August saw the State Department for the East African Community receive Ksh.16.3 million for official vehicle purchases.
In August and September, petroleum pump prices were stabilized at Ksh.1.82 billion; the State Department of ASAL and Regional Development then spent an additional Ksh 2.4 billion to buy relief food and non-food items.
In response to the El Nino rains, the Ministry of Defense received Ksh. 200 million, and the State Department of Crop and Development received Ksh—2.24 billion to purchase facilities for drying and storing maize.
Treasury approved an additional Ksh. 1.58 billion for the KICC's renovations before the Africa Climate Summit hosted there last year.
The law stipulates that the consent of Parliament must be sought or obtained within two months of the withdrawal, even though it permits the government to withdraw funds under Article 223.
Only Ksh 3.29 billion had the necessary approvals of the total funds spent.
The report also clarifies the government's spending priorities for the same period. The exchequer paid Ksh. 1.4 trillion to different government agencies; Ksh. 1.23 trillion went toward ongoing expenses, and Ksh. Two hundred ninety-one billion was allocated for employee benefits. Government agencies spent a pitiful Ksh 70.41 billion on development.
The expenditure coincides with the government's Controller of Budget drawing attention to the nation's mounting debt, which at the end of 2023 exceeded the legal ceiling at Ksh.11.14 trillion.
At this point, Dr. Nyakang'o requests that the government reduce its appetite for borrowing.
