The Chairman of the National Assembly’s Committee on Finance and National Planning Kuria Kimani has said that county governments have received their monthly disbursements from the national government through October 2024.

Kimani revealed that disbursements for the months of July, August, September, and October 2024 had been made. However, he noted that funds for November were yet to be released.

Addressing the media on Monday, October 18, 2024, the lawmaker highlighted the importance of accountability and prioritization in county spending.

“We had a meeting with the Minister of Finance last week, and he stated that the funds for July, August, September, and October have been disbursed to the county governments. The only funds yet to be sent are for November. County governments should prioritise those services that affect the citizens when they receive the money,” Kuria stated.

The MP called on county governments to focus on providing essential services that directly benefit citizens, rather than blaming the national government for delays in project implementation.

“Governors have a tendency of saying that they have not completed projects because they have not gotten money from the national government. But the truth is the money has been sent. County governments should prioritise those services that affect the citizens when they receive money,” he said.

Kimani also highlighted that while counties sometimes struggle with financial constraints, the National Treasury has fulfilled its obligations this year.

“Last year was the only year we had debts. The counties should prioritise basic services over paying contractors when they receive money,” he added.

Treasury report

The MP’s remarks come after the National Treasury reported that it had cleared all arrears owed to county governments for the 2023/24 financial year.

In a detailed report published on October 22, 2024, the National Treasury disclosed that over the past 11 years, the 47 counties have collectively received Ksh3.6 trillion from the national government.

“Since the onset of devolution in FY 2013/14, to FY 2023/24, County Governments have cumulatively
received Ksh3.60 trillion in form of equitable share of revenue and other additional allocations, both
conditional and unconditional,” Mbadi said.

According to Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, the government cleared arrears amounting to Ksh30.8 billion by July 2024, ensuring that county governments started the 2024/25 financial year on a clean slate.

The government noted that revenue disbursements to counties have consistently exceeded the constitutional threshold of 15% of the most recent audited accounts, with the exceptions of 2019/20, 2021/22, and 2023/24, as stated in a report by John Mbadi. Over the past 11 years, county allocations grew by 95.13%, totalling an additional Ksh186.13 billion.

Nairobi County received the highest funding of Ksh173 billion, averaging Ksh3,581 per capita annually for its population of 4.39 million. Turkana County followed with Ksh123 billion for its 923,976 residents. Kakamega County, with 1.87 million people, received Ksh120.6 billion.

Kiambu County, home to 2.42 million residents, received Ksh113.9 billion, translating to Ksh4,283 per capita annually. Kilifi County received Sh113 billion, while Mandera was allocated Ksh111 billion.

Marginalized counties benefited from the Equalisation Fund, aimed at fostering equity. Bungoma County secured Ksh102.3 billion, while others surpassing Ksh90 billion include Wajir (Ksh94.1 billion), Meru (Ksh93.7 billion), Machakos (Ksh93.3 billion), and Kisii (Ksh92.7 billion).