Ledama Olekina argued that the Controller of Budget's recent report on county governments' local and foreign travel expenditure risks being viewed as a distraction instead of serving as a meaningful accountability mechanism.
By Chrispho OwuorA report by the Senate County Public Accounts Committee has highlighted gaps in the management of debts owed by counties, pointing to what it says is a widening financial pressure point in devolved units.
By David Bogonko Nyokang'iThe shortfall includes Sh33.2 billion owed for December and Sh35.27 billion for January, following a late November allocation released only last month.
By Maureen KinyanjuiAccording to the report, more than Sh10 billion budgeted by counties under the second marginalisation policy has not yet been released. Nyakang’o highlighted that the delays are hitting ten counties hardest: Turkana, West Pokot, Wajir, Narok, Samburu, Mandera, Kilifi, Garissa, Baringo, and Marsabit.
By Bradley BosireIn her November 2025 National Government Budget Implementation Review Report covering the 2025/26 financial year, Nyakang’o pointed to weak preparation and planning by the agencies in charge as the main reason for the delays.
By Maureen KinyanjuiThe Controller of Budget highlighted that many counties have not followed their payment schedules, violating regulations that require trade payables to be prioritized. Regulation 55(2)(b) of the Public Finance Management (County Governments) Regulations, 2015, stipulates that all eligible pending bills must be treated as a first charge in county budgets, including for the 2025-26 financial year.
By Maureen KinyanjuiThe report shows that several counties continue to operate funds beyond their legal life, exposing them to audits and potential legal action. Section 116 of the Public Finance Management (PFM) Act, 2012, allows counties to set up public funds with approval from the county executive committee and county assembly. According to Regulation 197(1)(i) of the PFM (County Governments) Regulations, 2015, a fund can only last ten years unless formally extended by the county assembly. If not renewed, the funds automatically expire.
By Maureen KinyanjuiThis follows the gazettement of the County Public Finance Laws (Amendment) Act 2025, which gives her office the authority to view transactions across all county accounts. The change will allow real-time monitoring of cash inflows and outflows, making it easier to detect irregular financial activities.
By Ann NyamburaNairobi emerged as the highest beneficiary with Sh1,713,370,272, reflecting its dense population and economic influence. Nakuru came second with Sh1,156,411,813, showing its growing commercial and agricultural profile.
By Maureen KinyanjuiThe latest Controller of Budget report shows that hospitals collected Sh24.59 billion in Facility Improvement Financing (FIF), surpassing the annual forecast of Sh20.77 billion.
By Ann NyamburaThe latest findings by Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o show that as of June 30, 2025, counties owed a total of Sh176.90 billion in pending bills.
By Ann NyamburaIn her 2024–2025 full-year report, Margaret Nyakang'o disclosed that as of June 30, 2025, counties had 5,476 commercial bank accounts that have not been approved by her office, as required under the Public Finance Management Act. In her 2024–2025 full-year report, Margaret Nyakango disclosed that as of June 30, 2025, counties had 5,476 commercial bank accounts that have not been approved by her office, as required under the Public Finance Management Act.
By Ann NyamburaThis shortfall has already left a gap of more than Sh100 billion in just two years, exposing the heavy reliance on lenders and private players who are expected to finance over 60 percent of the programme.
By Rose AchiengAccording to the CoB’s report on the national government’s budget implementation for the 2024/2025 financial year, several projects under the department either stalled, lacked funding, or experienced long delays.
By Rose AchiengController of Budget, Margaret Nyakang’o warned that delayed payments by State Corporations and government agencies are squeezing small and medium businesses that depend on timely government contracts.
By Maureen KinyanjuiData from the Controller of Budget (CoB) shows that charges on overdue payments increased to Sh25.28 billion from Sh21.58 billion the previous year, largely driven by obligations at the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (Kurra) and the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA).
By Maureen KinyanjuiThe CoB's decision affects a wide range of devolved funds, including bursary schemes, youth and women funds, alcoholic drinks control funds, car and mortgage loan programmes for county officials, as well as emergency and disaster funds.
By Maureen KinyanjuiThe latest budget cuts were contained in the third supplementary estimates tabled by the National Treasury last Wednesday, barely a week before the financial year closes.
By Maureen KinyanjuiEven within the limited development spending, nearly Sh900 million was used to settle pending bills, raising concerns about the county’s ability to fund new projects as it continues to grapple with the country’s highest pending bills, now at Sh115.69 billion.
By Maureen Kinyanjui