The County Governments Implementation Review Report for the 2025/26 financial year shows that Meru used 79.04 per cent of its development allocation, while Trans Nzoia and Kirinyaga recorded 73.94 per cent and 73.89 per cent respectively.
By Maureen KinyanjuiAccording to the Budget Implementation Review Report for the financial year ended June 2026, Nairobi accounted for the largest share of county travel expenditure after using Sh850 million during the period under review.
By Maureen KinyanjuiSpeaking to business executives at Silo Modern Farmhouse in Kansas City, Missouri, USA, on Friday, September 18, 2026, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader said delayed government payments were hurting Kenyans whose livelihoods depended on contracts with public institutions.
By Maureen KinyanjuiCounty officials travelled to several destinations across Africa, Europe, Asia, North America and the Middle East, including Singapore, New York, France, Dubai, China, Switzerland, Italy, London, Sweden, the Netherlands, Spain, the UK, US, Qatar, Canada, Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa and Egypt.
By Maureen KinyanjuiThe CS said the Water Sector Steering Committee (WASCOM) should take the lead in dealing with disagreements over water boundaries, tariffs, abstraction and the sharing of water resources.
By Bradley BosireMPs have questioned the management of a Sh69.9 million construction project at Luanda Technical and Vocational College after reports that the works were incomplete two years past the original deadline, with a contractor halting progress and seeking additional payment.
By David Bogonko Nyokang'iThe number of perinatal deaths, involving children aged zero to 20 weeks, stood at 3,854 by August 31, making it the highest of the three categories tracked by the ministry.
By Maureen KinyanjuiKenya’s Pest Control Products Board (PCPB) chief executive says claims that pesticides are causing cancer are “not true,” as MPs on a National Assembly committee question the regulator over governance gaps and pesticide safety concerns.
By David Bogonko Nyokang'iController of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o said the delays were largely caused by counties failing to submit their budgets within the required timelines.
By Maureen KinyanjuiThe investment will support the implementation of the Every Woman Every Newborn Everywhere (EWENE) Acceleration Plan, with the government targeting improvements in maternal and newborn health services across 21 counties identified as having the highest burden of preventable deaths.
By Samuel OtienoThe backlog comes after the government waived application fees in May 2025, leading to a surge in new registrations. Huduma Kenya says the waiver attracted about 1.7 million applications for national identity cards across the country.
By David AbonyoThe Council of Governors (CoG) has accused the Ministry of Health of shifting responsibility to counties without first resolving the question of how the workers will be financed in the years ahead.
By Bradley BosireAs Kenya works to address the teacher shortage, the Teachers Service Commission has deployed the highest number of newly recruited teachers to counties with the greatest staffing needs.
By Nelson WahomeFinancial experts have asked the National Treasury to stop giving large allocations to ministries and county governments that repeatedly fail to use the money within the financial year.
By Maureen KinyanjuiAt the centre of the debate is the question of who should qualify for support under the Equalisation Fund, which is provided for under the Constitution and receives 0.5 per cent of all nationally collected revenue.
By Maureen KinyanjuiThe Controller of Budget's report further reveals that the County Executive continued relying on short-term borrowing to meet payroll obligations maintaining an overdraft facility with Sidian Bank averaging Sh.1.6 billion per month for personnel emoluments, with an outstanding balance of Sh.1.54 billion by March 31, 2026.
By David Bogonko Nyokang'iIn counties such as Mandera, Kwale, Marsabit, Lamu, Turkana, Meru, Kitui and Kilifi, the share of children at risk, measured through Mid-Upper Arm Circumference, remains higher than long-term averages, pointing to sustained vulnerability.
By Maureen KinyanjuiIn the first six months of the 2025/26 financial year, county governments spent Sh160.1 billion on wages but allocated only Sh32.49 billion, or 17 percent of their total spending, to development programmes.
By Maureen KinyanjuiThe development comes as Parliament considers a national law to harmonise revenue collection across all counties.
By Bradley BosireThe Cabinet Secretary said stronger cooperation between the national and county governments is necessary to ensure smooth implementation of mining activities and fair sharing of proceeds.
By Bradley BosireThe pettitioners argued that they have been serving under contract in these counties, expecting permanent appointments, while Junior Secondary School interns are being absorbed without undergoing a fresh recruitment process.
By Maureen KinyanjuiThe audit further shows that only six counties did not register new hiring during the period, meaning most devolved units expanded their workforce without clear staffing guidance.
By Bradley BosireThe funding combines contributions from the World Bank, which is providing Sh5.7 billion through its International Development Association, KfW Germany contributing Sh1.2 billion, and Sh4.2 billion from the counties themselves.
By Maureen KinyanjuiGovernors have raised alarms, describing the e-GP system as flawed and ineffective. They argue that its hurried rollout, limited testing, and inadequate training for procurement officers have made it difficult to issue contracts or obtain necessary goods and services.
By Maureen KinyanjuiData shows that ten counties had considerably more male than female students sitting the national exams. Garissa led with 66.24 percent male candidates against 33.76 percent female, followed by Mandera at 65.09 percent male and 34.91 percent female.
By Chrispho OwuorMost counties exceeded the legal wage bill limit of 35 percent of total revenue under the Public Finance Management (County Governments) Regulations, 2015. During the 2023/24 financial year, only Turkana, Narok, Kilifi, and Tana River stayed within the limit. Kisii County recorded the highest overspend at 68 percent of revenue, followed by Taita Taveta at 66 percent.
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 KinyanjuiThe County Governments Budget Implementation Review Report for the first quarter of the financial year ending June 30, 2026, released on Monday by Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o, lists Kericho, Tana River, Turkana, Bomet, Siaya, Trans Nzoia, Baringo, Kilifi, Kwale, Kajiado, Kisumu, Mombasa, Vihiga, Busia, West Pokot, Bungoma, Uasin Gishu, Wajir, Laikipia and Kisii as counties that did not spend any money on development.
By Maureen KinyanjuiCounties were further directed to work with IGRTC and other state bodies to secure legal ownership of fixed and movable assets already handed to them. At the same time, leaders agreed to amend the Intergovernmental Relations Sector Forums Regulations so that both levels of government can co-chair the forums.
By Maureen Kinyanjui