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Nairobi county government will receive the lion’s share of Sh20.8 billion in the County Allocation Revenue Bill, 2024 should the Senate pass the proposed law.

This is after President Ruto signed into law the Division of Revenue Bill, 2024 paving way for National and County Governments to share revenue raised nationally.

The County Allocation of Revenue Bill, 2024 popularly known as the ‘CARA’ allocates to each county government’ equitable share of revenue raised nationally.

In the proposed allocation, Nakuru will get the second highest allocation of Sh14.1 billion, followed by Governor Jeremiah Lomorkai (Turkana) Sh13.6 billion, Fernandez Baraza (Kakamega) Sh13.4 billion and Kimani Wamatangi (Kiambu) Sh12.7 billion respectively.

Governor Gideon Mungaro of the Coastal county of Kilifi will in the 2024/25 financial year will receive Sh12.5 billion, Arid and Semi-Arid County of Mandera headed by Governor Mohamed Khalif will receive Sh12 billion, Ken Lusaka (Bungoma) will get Sh11.5 billion while Julius Malombe (Kitui) will receive Sh11.2 billion respectively.

Equal allocation

Governor Kawira Mwangaza (Meru) will control Sh10.2 billion, Ahmed Abdullahi (Wajir) will equally control Sh10.2 billion, Wavinya Ndeti (Machakos) will get Sh9.9 billion, Simba Arati (Kisii) will have Sh9.6 billion while Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu (Narok) will oversee Sh9.5 billion in the next financial year.

Governor Fatuma Achani (Kwale) will control Sh8.88 billion, Jonathan Bii (Uasin Gishu) is set to receive Sh8.766 billion, Mutula Kilonzo Jnr (Makueni) is expected to receive Sh8.762 billion, Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o (Kisumu) will control Sh8.68 billion, Ochillo Ayacko (Migori) will get Sh8.66 billion, Nadhif Jama (Garissa) Sh8.55 billion while Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay) will get Sh8.4 billion in the next financial year.

Governor Mahamed Mahmud (Marsabit) will receive Sh7.8billion, George Natembeya (Trans Nzoia) Sh7.79 billion, Irungu Kangata (Muranga) Sh7.7 billion, Paul Otuoma (Busia) will receive Sh7.76, Stephen Sang (Nandi) Sh7.6 billion, James Orengo (Siaya) will get Sh7.5 billion while Dhadho Godana (Tana River) will get Sh7.04 billion respectively.

Rift Valley counties

In addition, Dr Eric Mutai (Kericho) will in the  coming financial year control Sh6.96 billion, Benjamin Cheboi (Baringo) will get Sh6.91 billion, Simon Kachapi (West Pokot) will this time round oversee a Sh6.8 billion budget while Mutahi Kahiga (Nyeri) will pocket Sh6.7 billion while John Kiarie Badilisha (Nyandarua) will get Sh6.1billion respectively.

Jonathan Lelelit (Samburu) is set to receive Sh5.8 billion, Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga) will control a budget of Sh5.6 billion, Joseph Irungu (Laikipia) Sh 5.56 billion), Cecil Mbarire (Embu) will get Sh5.54 billion, Wilbur Otichillo (Vihiga) Sh5.45 billion), Amos Nyaribo (Nyamira) Sh5.52 billion while Andrew Mwadime (Taita Taveta) Sh5.22 billion respectively.

Wisley Rotich (Elgeyo Marakwet) will in this coming financial year receive Sh4.9 billion, Muthomi Njuki (Tharaka Nithi) will receive Sh4.5 billion and Issa Timamy (Lamu) will receive the least amount of Sh3.36 billion in the 2024/25 financial year.

Yesterday, the Senators charged that the biggest challenges facing Counties is Health and Agriculture functions which have been devolved.

Dan Maanzo (Makueni) said that a lot of functinos are still held at the National government which inconvenience the devolved units.

“More than 90 per cent of the funds are still being held with the National Government. We should encourage the National government to fully devolve the functions. If you keep most of the functions at the National level, how then will County governments control the functions fully,” charged Maanzo.

Audit allocation

Samson Cherargei (Nandi) said that the National Assembly should move with speed and audit the latest allocation, adding that out of a budget of Sh4 trillion, it does not augur well to give counties a paltry Sh400 billion.

According to Cherargei, counties should be getting at least Sh500 billion to enable them execute their mandate and match their functions.

“We have an obligation to protect devolution. The biggest soft under-belly and lethargy is continuous plundering and corruption in our devolved units. I want to challenge the EACC to be keen and ensure anybody found misappropriating funds meant for Counties are arrested and prosecuted so that we can protect devolution,” said Cherargei.

Enock Wambua (Kitui) said that the notion that the national government has any money to give should be demystified.

“It is the work of Parliament both National Assembly and the Senate to share money between the National and County governments. Expecting that the National government is going to share money to County government is expecting an impossibility,” said Wambua.

Edwin Sifuna (Nairobi) said that he will bring an amendment to the Sports Act so that Counties are forced to at least spare one per cent of their revenue for the support of registered sporting associations.

“My Governor will have no excuse because I have given him an additional Sh850 million. I know that he put around Sh500 million for the Joe Kadenge Stadium. County governments should be able to develop sporting infrastructure to the level where we are able to hold international matches,” said Sifuna.