County Assemblies now have the green light to operate independent accounts in a bid to improve operations and service delivery. The decision follows a series of concerns raised by the County Assemblies Forum (CAF), in which the devolved units had decried interference from the county executive in relation to funding.
Appearing before the Senate Committee on Finance on Wednesday, representatives from the Commission on Revenue Allocation, Controller of Budget, National Treasury, Commercial Bank of Kenya and CAF unanimously agreed to have the 47 assemblies operate their own account.
They also agreed that the assemblies be allocated their own kitty, after it emerged that some of the county executive officers were misappropriating funds in the name of the devolved units without their knowledge.
However, the 47 assemblies will be required to comply with a number of requirements, among them signing and submission of the Internet Banking (IB) system agreement and registration forms to CBK and uploading their approved budgets into Information Finance Management Integrated System with the support of the National Treasury.
They are also required to facilitate the installation and training of IB at their offices by providing the required computers and availing the right staff. Even though it appears that the ward representatives have achieved what they were longing for, county assemblies have been cautioned against taking advantage of the new development to waste resources.
File returns Led by the Controller of Budget Agnes Odhiambo, the commissioners urged the assemblies to ensure they file returns for consolidated purposes alongside a report that clearly shows how funds are utilised.
“The assemblies will also be obligated to carry out their transactions as envisaged in the revenue and allocation Act,” she added.
Meanwhile, TNA Nominated Senator Beatrice Elachi has lauded the decision saying it will enhance accountability in county governments. She said the move will enable the assemblies to have their own budget a move she believes will improve service delivery to Kenyans.
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