Governors under fire for overspending on salaries as development suffers

County governments are yet again on the spot for gobbling billions of shillings on salaries and allowances at the expense of development.

A report compiled from the Auditor General and Controller of Budget (CoB) by the County Public Accounts Committee shows that majority of the counties are paying more than 50% of their revenue to salaries and allowances.

The Public Finance Management Act 2012, prescribes what percentage of the county government’s total revenue should be spent on wages and allowances and what should be used on development.

Under the Act, expenditure on both the Executive and the County Assembly should not exceed 35% of the total county revenue.

However, this is not the case in most counties, as the wage bill continues to rise. The wage bill in Kisii County stands at 60 percent of the revenue, which means Governor Simba Arati is paying money meant for development to settle salaries and allowances of employees.

Mombasa's wage bill has also exceeded the 35% mark and stands at 57%, with Nyeri, Elgeyo Marakwet and Laikipia counties all recording a wage bill of 55 percent—way above the set limit.

Governors Irungu Kang’ata of Murang’a and Gladys Wanga of Homa Bay are equally grappling with the wage bill that has hit 54% and 53% respectively. Nyamira and Taita Taveta have recorded a wage bill above 50%, exceeding the ceiling.

Kisumu, Machakos, Kericho and Bomet are also among counties that have recorded a wage bill way above the required limit.

The Controller of Budget and the Auditor General report has however listed Narok County, Nakuru, Kwale, Siaya and Turkana as counties that met the required wage bill limit.

According to the Moses Kajwang’-led County Public Accounts Committee, counties that are paying more on salaries and allowances have little left for development and want Governors to comply with the PFM Act.