Nairobi, Feb. 20 -- The Controller of Budget (COB) rejected requests by the State House, 18 Ministries, and State agencies to spend more than Sh47 billion under an emergency clause in the six months ended December, approving only Sh3.29 billion of the Sh51 billion requested without MPs approval.

Most of the 31 spending requests made between July and December 2023 were for non-urgent causes prompting the Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang'o to approve just six of the applications.

Among requests that were not approved included one by the State House in July to spend Sh400 million to purchase vehicles and another in October to spend Sh700 million in the construction of a modern presidential dais at the State House gardens.

The COB als...