Failure to use funds reflects badly on counties

Governors have again been cited for failing to put to proper use billions of shillings allocated to counties for development projects.

According to a report by the Treasury, which was released last Wednesday, several counties have failed to use up to Sh8 billion in the last six months.

The most disturbing thing is that most of the counties cited for failure to utilise these funds are those that have been regarded as marginalised for a long time.

These counties should have taken advantage of devolution to accelerate development.  It’s no secret that more still need to be done in some parts of this country to put them at par with other areas considered better off.

Topping the list of counties that failed to fully take advantage of the development funds are Turkana, Marsabit, Kilifi and Taita Taveta. Other counties mentioned were Kitui, Busia, Lamu, Meru, and Uasin Gishu.

Considering claims by governors that the national government has failed to allocate them adequate funds, this is unacceptable.

The Council of Governors, which is chaired by Bomet governor Isaac Ruto started the push for more funds to the counties on assumption that counties were starved of developmental funds.

The clamour for more funds gave birth to the Pesa Mashinani referendum push.

Coupled with the wastage experienced in the last financial year in which a total of Sh7.7 billion was spent on foreign trips and local travel, it is easy to conclude that many governors are yet to come to terms with the management of funds, something that will take the edge off their demands for more money.

Governors must prove they are able to manage funds by putting the little they have to good use.

Many of the counties lack basic facilities like good roads, piped water, modern market stalls and well equipped hospitals. Other challenges include lack of electricity and poor garbage collection services.

The county government leadership should start addressing these challenges because it does not make sense to ask for more money when you can’t fully utilise what you already have.