Controller of Budget boss queries use of extra cash

By PATRICK KIBET

The Controller of Budget (COB) has raised questions over huge expenditure incurred by some departments in Bomet County between September and October 2013.

The Controller of Budget report especially, queries expenditure incurred by the office of the Bomet governor after it emerged that it used Sh196 million in the first quarter against Sh35 million released by the exchequer.

“The absorption rate stands at 560.7 per cent which raises queries about where the department could have acquired the excess funds since it had only Sh35 million issued from the exchequer during the period under review,” the COB reports notes.

During the period under review, Bomet County received Sh352 million from the exchequer and Sh24 million from local revenue collections.

The COB questions whether the excess funds used by the office of Governor were reallocated from other departments and if the same were approved by the county assembly.

No internal audit

“Could the funds have been reallocation and if indeed it is, was there approval to this effect?” queries the COB.

According to the report, the county lacks an internal audit committee to monitor and evaluate the county government’s financial operations.

“The county has no internal audit department whose services would have enhanced the monitoring and evaluation of the financial management and operation of county government,” report notes.

The report also say the department of agriculture and fisheries failed to request for the Sh352 million budgeted for despite the county boasting high agricultural potential.

It also questions the low local revenues collected during the period.