This archive report was first published on 18 October 2019.
Devolution in Kenya is facing a significant threat from greed, graft, and fraud, which have become rampant in county governments.
According to a recent report by the Office of the Controller of Budget, Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) are bleeding counties to the bone through coercion, intimidation, and manipulation.
The report reveals that MCAs in some counties earn as much as Sh700,000 a month through numerous allowances that cannot be explained.
These allowances are in addition to other perks, including housing benefits, which MCAs enjoy.
Moreover, MCAs influence the use of ward funds, often directing the cash towards projects and activities that serve their interests.
When they are not awarding themselves huge perks, MCAs are busy traveling for all odious reasons, resulting in princely sums being spent at the expense of service delivery.
Furthermore, MCAs have formed the tendency of intimidating county assembly speakers and governors to submit to their demands, creating a lawless environment in the counties.
MCAs' earnings are a sure cause for outrage, especially when compared to the salaries of other public servants.
For instance, a university professor with years of service earns an average of Sh200,000 inclusive of housing and travel allowances, while a top medical doctor earns no more than Sh400,000 a month.
The disparity cannot be justified, and the trend must be stopped.
County speakers and governors must reject such outrageous payouts when everybody else is starving and sacrificing.
Counties are struggling to survive, with many unable to pay salaries, forcing workers to go for months without an income.
Suppliers and contractors are owed huge sums of money, a number forced out of business because of cash flow problems.
Productivity is at the lowest ebb, and revenues collected by counties have fallen drastically, forcing counties to depend on the national government.
It's preposterous that MCAs are paid so handsomely for zero work done.
