Nairobi — The Office of the Controller of Budget (OCOB) has flagged over-budgeting of state employee wages by the National Treasury.

While appearing before the Kalonzo-Ichung'wa-led National Dialogue Committee at the Bomas of Kenya, OCOB Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakango gave an example of her wage that had been budgeted three times higher than what she was supposed to earn, wasting public funds.

"I would ask the committee to talk to the national Treasury on a very serious note. The exaggeration is in the national treasury. I found out that my salary was budgeted at three times what I am paid and it was like that for all the state officers," Nyakango said.

She also complained of public debt arrangements that her office has been approving for payment and whose contents cannot be identified.

"I have been approving payments of public debts and I have looked at what we are paying for. Many of these things cannot be identified, "she asserted, adding that most of the loans taken out to fund projects are unrelated to any of the intended initiatives.

She advised the Treasury to reduce its thirst for massive spending lest the nation find itself in a vulnerable situation due to uncertainties that require immediate resource allocation, such as the El Niño weather phenomenon that the weathercaster recently predicted.

Presently, the Bomas discussions are focusing on how to fix the high cost of living.