In a bold address during a consultative meeting with governors in Naivasha, Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi launched a scathing attack on the Controller of Budget (CoB) and her office’s operations.
He accused her and her team of engaging in rent-seeking behavior that hampers the efficient functioning of county governments.
The meeting, part of a quarterly high-level consultative session with the Council of Governors Health Committee, saw Mbadi responding to persistent concerns from governors about late disbursement of funds.
He highlighted the absurdity of county finance officials traveling from as far as Turkana to Nairobi to clear funds, a process that could easily be managed remotely.
“I wish the Controller of Budget was here; I have a problem with her office. I don’t mince my words. Once we transfer money to counties, that money should reach the counties without bottlenecks,” Mbadi stated emphatically.
He characterized the current situation as an example of unnecessary bureaucratic interference, declaring, “That is rent-seeking, and it should stop.”
Mbadi argued for the establishment of a more streamlined system that eliminates artificial delays, ensuring timely disbursement of funds to the counties.
He expressed his desire for a public forum where he could voice these criticisms directly to the CoB, emphasizing that such feedback should not be viewed as an attack but as constructive criticism.
In addition to addressing disbursement issues, Mbadi confronted the contentious topic of county allocations. While the National Government can only afford Ksh 380 billion, he noted, counties have requested Ksh 400 billion.
This discrepancy has led to rising tensions between the two levels of government, especially in light of the upcoming rollout of Social Health Insurance.
Governor Sang’ of Nandi County firmly stated, “We will not accept anything less than Ksh 400 billion, especially when you are adding more roles for us.”
In a more extreme sentiment, Governor Cheboi remarked, “If there is no money, I’d rather return the county to the National Government.”
Mbadi also directed his criticism toward the increasing number of advisors at both levels of government. He expressed concern over the proliferation of advisors, many of whom he deemed unnecessary.
“Many advisors are useless and should be disbanded,” he asserted, suggesting that the funds allocated for their salaries could be better utilized elsewhere.
In closing, the Treasury CS committed to ensuring that county funds are disbursed on time, recognizing the importance of keeping devolved units financially stable.
He acknowledged that counties have faced over three months without allocations, a situation that has created significant challenges for local governance.
As discussions continue, the relationship between the National Government and county administrations remains strained, with both sides seeking to address the pressing issues of funding and administrative efficiency.
