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Counties to get Sh16.8b from Equalisation Fund to support service delivery

Counties to get Sh16.8b from Equalisation Fund to support service delivery
Mandera Senator Ali Roba. PHOTO/Print

At least 34 counties will receive Sh16.8 billion from the Equalization Fund to support the delivery of basic services such as water, roads, health facilities, and electricity in marginalized areas, if a new bill is enacted.

 The Equalization Fund Appropriation Bill, 2025 seeks to provide for the issuance out of the Equalization Fund of monies to provide certain services in marginalized areas.

 Once passed, the Bill will ensure funds allocated to the Equalization Fund are issued and utilized for the provision of services to marginalized areas of the country as contemplated under Article 204 of the Constitution. 

 These services include water services, roads and health services which are county functions as designated under Part 2 of the Fourth Schedule to the Constitution.

The allocation is provided for in the Equalization Fund Bill, 2025, which outlines disbursements for the 2025–2026 financial year.

 “The Bill proposes a legal framework for the issuance of monies out of the Equalization Fund to counties in which marginalized areas fall for the provision of crucial basic services,” the Bill reads.

 The Bill sponsored by Senate Finance and Budget Committee chair Ali Roba (Mandera), the Bill seeks to operationalize Article 204(1) of the Constitution, which establishes the Equalization Fund. 

 In the proposals, Turkana County will get the lion’s share of at least Sh1.86 billion, followed by West Pokot Sh1.66 billion, Wajir Sh1.18 billion, Mandera 1.22 billion, Narok Sh1.25 billion, Samburu Sh1.05 billion, Marsabit Sh763.77million, Migori Sh289.09 million and Nandi County at Sh189.86 million respectively.  Other counties that will benefit from the funds are Lamu (Sh93.69 million), Machakos (Sh21.06 million), Meru (Sh48.66 million), Muranga (Sh9.23 million), Nakuru (Sh10.46 million), Siaya (Sh51.99 million), Taita Taveta (Sh21.68 million), Tana River (Sh719.01 million), Tharaka Nithi (Sh71.56million) and Trans Nzoia (Sh12.16 million respectively. 

 The article stipulates that 0.5 per cent of all national revenue be allocated to this fund to uplift marginalized areas by improving access to essential services.   Originally, the fund targeted 14 of the least developed counties, mainly in arid and semi-arid regions. 

 However, the Commission on Revenue Allocation revised the formula, expanding the number of beneficiary counties to 34. 

 The new model identifies specific sublocations and wards considered marginalised across these counties.

 Areas earmarked for development are Baringo North, Baringo South, Mogotio and Tiaty, which will get a total of Sh967.68 million.

 Chepalungu constituency in Bomet will get Sh31.24 million to implement development projects in Nyangores, Chebunyo and Sigor areas.

 In Bungoma, Mt Elgon constituency will get Sh95.59 million to implement development in Chepyuk, Elgon and Kapkateny.

 Budalang’i and Teso North constituencies in Busia will receive a total of Sh29.23 million to do development in Bunyala South, Angurai South and Malaba North areas.

 In Elgeyo Marakwet, Keiyo South and Marakwet East will receive Sh105.89 million to improve roads, water and health services in Embobut, Endo, Kapyego, Sambirir and Lelan.

 All the six constituencies in Garissa will get Sh1.02 billion. They are Balambala, Dadaab, Fafi, Garissa Township, Ijara and Lagdera.

 Among the areas earmarked for development in the county Danyere, Jarajara, Saka, Sankuri, Fafi, Liboi, Banane, Goreale, Sangailu, Dertu, Bura, Dekaharia and Nanighi.

 In Homa Bay, Homa Bay Town, Ndhiwa, Suba North and Suba South will get a total of Sh214.02 million.

 In Isiolo, Isiolo North and Isiolo South will get Sh223.47 million while Kajiado South and Kajiado West will receive Sh270.21 million.

 In Kajiado; Kajiado North, Kajiado Central and Kajiado West will receive Sh99.01 million.

 In Kericho, Bureti, Kipkelion West and Sigoet/Soin will get Sh81.88 million. Ganze, Kaloleni, Kilifi North, Magarini, Rabai and Malindi constituencies in Kilifi will get Sh878.03 million.

 In Kisumu; Muhoroni and Nyando will get Sh39.57 million while Kitui South, Kitui East, Mwingi Central and Mwingi North in Kitui will receive Sh646.40 million.

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