Nairobi, Aug. 23 -- The cost of running offices under the national government jumped by a record Sh199.2 billion in the financial year to June 30, pushing the operations bill above Sh1.3 trillion despite a continued drive to contain recurrent spending.

According to the Treasury, expenditure on operations and maintenance rose by 17.82 percent to Sh1.317 trillion, up from Sh1.118 trillion a year earlier.

It was the largest annual rise as per Treasury records, highlighting the growing cost of keeping ministries, departments and agencies running despite austerity measures and procurement reforms.

The spending covers routine government costs like travel, transport, fuel, supplies, repairs, maintenance, hospitality, training, electricity, wa...