County governments could be headed for tougher times after the Controller of Budget (CoB) issued new guidelines on withdrawal of funds.
In a circular addressed to all county finance executives, Dr Margaret Nyakang’o said she had identified gaps in Exchequer documentation and demanded to be supplied with details of expenditure.
Among the gaps Dr Nyakang’o wants addressed by counties include making available the list of county employees outside the payroll system (popularly known as the IPPD), casual employees and Internet banking reports to enable her office make approvals for withdrawal of funds.
“We have noted that counties have in their payroll three clusters of staff described as staff with personal numbers, staff without personal numbers and casual staff,” Dr Nyakang’o said. She directed counties to accompany their Exchequer requisitions with a schedule of staff details, but governors feel this will cause delayed approvals for already financially struggling units.
The governors see the latest move as intended to cause delays in approval of funds to counties. The Council of Governors (CoG), through a circular dated February 10, protested the move and threatened to seek legal redress.
The CoG accused Dr Nyakang’o of failing to facilitate timely approvals and usurping the mandate of the Auditor-General and the Senate.