Nairobi, Feb. 28 -- Auditor General Nancy Gathungu has decried how Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) misuse provisions of Article 223 of the constitution to withdraw billions of taxpayers' money from the exchequer to fund projects that are not urgent.

Article 223 of the constitution allows the National Treasury to spend on emergencies without the approval of parliament. The law demands that the treasury seek approval from parliament within two months after the withdrawal of funds from the consolidated fund.

If Parliament is in recess, then the treasury must get the approval two weeks after resumption of sitting.

The current law stipulates that in any particular financial year, the National government may not spend more than ...