Nairobi, Feb. 20 -- Duplication of projects by the national and county governments could see Sh8.8 billion unaccounted for in the current financial year, the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) has warned.

The PBO, which advises lawmakers on budget issues, said the national government and devolved units would collectively spend Sh21.8 billion in the 2023/24 financial year on activities outside their respective mandates, impeding fiscal consolidation.

The national government is expected to spend Sh14.7 billion on devolved sectors such as agriculture, robbing other departments of enough investment, even though direct transfers to the devolved units by the National Treasury consistently fall below target. At the same time, counties will be s...