The Controller of Budget (CoB), Margaret Nyakang’o, has admitted an error in a report on Homa Bay County’s finances.
In the County Government Budget Implementation Review Report (CGBIRR) for the 2024/25 financial year, the CoB stated that the county operated 584 bank accounts. However, this figure was overstated.
County Clarification
Homa Bay County, in a letter dated September 18, said the wrong figure included 284 Level 1 community health units. These facilities do not have bank accounts.
The county asked for a correction, noting that the numbers did not reflect the true situation.
CoB’s Response
In her reply, Nyakang’o admitted the mistake and promised to update the figures in a revised report.
“The Office regrets this inaccuracy and commits to take prompt corrective action in line with our revision policy,” she stated.
She clarified that the county should have been reported as having 274 accounts, not 558.
Corrected Numbers
The revised figures show that Homa Bay currently operates 272 bank accounts. These are spread across different functions:
- 207 accounts for Level 2 and 3 health facilities.
- 24 accounts for Level 4 and 5 hospitals.
- 35 accounts for vocational centres.
- 5 accounts for special funds such as Mortgage, Emergency, Bursary, Liquor, and Facility Improvement Fund (FIF).
- 3 accounts for Own Source Revenue (OSR) and salary payments.
County Comparisons
The CoB report also highlighted differences across the country.
- Kitui County has 350 accounts.
- Bungoma and Nakuru each operate over 300 accounts.
- Embu, Machakos, Kwale, and Baringo have more than 200 accounts.
In contrast, some counties keep fewer accounts. Nandi has 10, Kisii 14, Siaya 15, Tharaka Nithi 16, and Murang’a 20.
Risk of Mismanagement
The Controller of Budget has warned counties against maintaining too many accounts. Multiple commercial bank accounts can expose public funds to mismanagement and theft.
Counties are urged to streamline their accounts to improve accountability and financial management.
