Many county governments spent Covid-19 funds on non-essentials instead of channelling the cash towards key interventions to curb the spread of the virus, a new report has revealed. The budget implementation review report by Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o shows counties spent Sh4.77 billion on Covid-19 mitigation measures in nine months of 2020-21. Others are Kisumu (Sh217.40 million), Lamu (Sh34.14 million), Makueni (Sh100.42 million), Nakuru (Sh207.05 million), Narok (Sh194.25 million) and Tana River (Sh28.43 million). In Mombasa, the county spent Sh79.66 million out of the Sh142.10 million disbursed to it on the purchase of foodstuff. In Murang’a, the county spent Sh4.85 million on food, Sh1.79 million on health workers accommodation and Sh1.37 million on allowances, educators and technical staff.

Source: The Star June 14, 2021 02:03 UTC