Governors advised to put into effect reforms in finance systems
Governors had been entreated to hasten reforms geared toward strengthening county public finance control systems by following the example of pioneer county governments.
Finance specialists have stated that the county bosses will ensure prudent use of public funds and provide transport to residents.
Counties may also have to ensure that their devolved units record their monetary plans at some point in the finances-making process, which has not been the case.
Budget analysts propose that entry to timely and complete data is vital if the general public participates in decision-making.
This data facilitates the general public’s shaping of county budget priorities, discussions of trade-offs with their representatives inside the regional assemblies, and monitoring of whether or not the money is delivering on what was agreed upon at some point in consultations.
The Public Finance Management (PFM) Act, 2012 mandates county governments to post-implementation reports within 30 days.
“All countries want to establish and beef up the county budget and financial forums as stipulated with the aid of Section 137 of the PFM Act, 2012.
The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) stated, ” This is a critical forum for facilitating consultations between citizens and county governments on subjects such as making plans, budgeting, and basic economic development. ”
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The accountants’ body stated that capability-build auditing might be needed at county stages as full responsibility and prudent public expenditure control.
“We word that some counties had already initiated efforts and even set up those committees before the General Election.
However, we nevertheless have much to do to ensure that audit committees are powerful throughout the public sector,” said ICPAK chairman Julius Mwatu.
Equally, the County Government Act 2012 offers county planning, which includes but is now not restricted to the principles and goals of the county’s making plans.
Section 104 of the Act stipulates that a county government shall prepare a county plan, and no public budget will be appropriated outside of the county. The framework evolved through the county government committee and was accredited through the regional meeting.
Section 108 provides a 5-12 month County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP).
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“We are aware that some of the preliminary CIDPs (2013 – 2017) had been not as consultative as envisaged by the constitutional provisions and applicable statutes,” ICPAK said.
“We urge new leaders to correct some of those anomalies and increase CIDPs that are certainly reflective of the needs of citizens. It’s only via this mechanism that we’ll be capable of gaining the benefits of devolution,” ICPAK stated.
A survey conducted by the International Budget Partnership (IBP) Kenya early this year found that most county governments do not post their price range implementation reports on their websites.
The take-a-look performed in February confirmed that, out of the 47 counties, only Kirinyaga and Baringo had launched any price range implementation reports for the monetary year 2016/2017.
The two counties posted first-region implementation reports on their websites.
“Baringo County is unique in that it’s been uploading its quarterly implementation reviews, starting with the primary quarter in 2015/2016,” IBP Kenya said in its new record released the remaining month.
The “2016/2017 Budget Implementation in Kenya: Improving Performance, Continuing Transparency Challenges” file also indicated that Kirinyaga was the opposite county to upload its quarterly implementation reports. However, this had not been as consistent.
“While it posted its first and second sector 2016/2017 reviews, it had not posted any implementation reviews before this,” IBP Kenya stated.
The IBP Kenya price range analysts also noted that the to-be had county reports range in terms of the statistics.
The analysts point out that from the reports, by using the two counties, non-economic records on overall performance against targets remain very preferred.
The analysts add that the information in these reviews is inconsistent with that in the Office of Controller of Budget reports.
