Counties blow billions in sitting allowances, luxury vehicles and lavish foreign trips

Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto and Commission for Revenue Allocation (CRA) Chairman Micah Cheserem at a past intergovernmental budget and economic council meeting. [PHOTO: MBUGUA KIBERA]

NAIROBI, KENYA: More than a dozen counties are diverting billions of shillings meant for development to pay sitting allowances, purchase new vehicles and pay for foreign trips. A new progress report by the Controller of Budget on County Implementation has found out that as at March this year, counties such as Nairobi, Kakamega, Kirinyaga, Narok, Busia, and Laikipia had gobbled their personal allowances and overspent on purchase of luxurious vehicles and foreign trips.

Others are Nyeri, Tana River, Kericho and Vihiga counties that spent more to buy cars.