Devolution is Expensive, CS Mbadi Says As Government Struggles to Sustain 47 Counties

The Cabinet Secretary of National Treasury John Mbadi has faulted the devolution which resulted to the formation of 47 counties, which has made running it very costly.

Speaking during an interview with Citizen TV on Wednesday, March 19, Mbadi said the counties have become too expensive to be sustained by the government, leading to huge wage bills by the government to the 47 units.

He said the counties have many unnecessary employers, leading to mismanagement of resources and funds, which was echoed during the Members of County Assembly Forum in Nairobi by Auditor General  Margaret Nyakang’o. She said the governors’ are leading in mismanagement of funds.

“You go to counties and find all types of staffs. You find directors of fishermen, boda bodas, music lead, culture directors earning huge salaries together with their deputies! We have so many people. Again that is not withstanding the fact that 47 counties are just too many for our country,” he stated.

He further alluded that the former eight provinces would suit the current burden and financial crisis of the country, and at the same time ensuring the resources from national government reach common mwananchi at the grassroot levels, saying in his capacity, he would settle for 14 counties.

“I would go for a maximum of 14. There were eight provinces before the 2010 constitution, but 8 would still serve the country perfectly well, with devolution of resources going to the grassroots. We can devolve resources without devolving heavy to the grassroots. It is unsustainable,” he said.

According to Mbadi, the country has an expensive government, with KSh 960 billion, used to pay salaries for national government employees, with KSh 80 billion paid monthly.

He said the cost of salaries is running towards a trillion mark, whereas the country collects KSh 2.5 trillion, a clear indication that there will be no money for development. He further disclosed that the government spends KSh 1.1 trillion on payment of loans.

“We have very expensive government. Today we are paying KSh 80 billion per month at the national government level for salaries. Per year it is KSh 960 billion, it is going to a trillion and we are collecting KSh 2.5 trillion, and we are spending KSh 1.1 trillion on loan repayments, so where do we you get the money for development?” He questioned.