[The controller of budget Ms Agnes Odhiambo. A recent report by Odhiambo shows counties spending hugely on recurrent expenditure. [Photo: Daily Nation]
Nairobi, Taita Taveta and Tharaka Nithi are the top three counties with the highest spending on recurrent expenditure.The spendings are channeled towards payment of allowances and salaries of county officials and staff.Nairobi splashed Sh9.61 billion on personnel emoluments of the Sh13.65 billion recurrent expenditure, Taita Taveta spent Sh1.56 billion of the Sh2.24 billion total, while Tharaka Nithi spent Sh1.19 billion of Sh1.56 billion total recurrent expenditure.According to the latest Controller of Budget report covering the period between July 2016 and March 2017 shows the 47 counties spent a whooping Sh91.39 billion on personnel emoluments. In total Sh145 billion was spent on recurrent expenditure.The report tabled in the Senate early this week by Majority leader Kipchumba Murkomen states the expenditure on personnel emoluments by the counties exceeded the amount recorded in a similar 2015-16 financial year period by six per cent."The office recommends personnel emoluments be maintained at sustainable levels and in line with Regulation 25 ( 1b) of the Public Finance Management (County Governments) Regulations, 2015," Controller of Budget Agnes Odhiambo recommended as quoted by the Star.In the 9-month period under review, the counties' costs on salaries and allowances stood at 61.8 per cent of total recurrent expenditure, up from Sh85.82 billion, translating to 46.7 per cent recorded in the previous period.