Kenya’s County governments are facing a Ksh. 20 billion downward revisions to the equitable share from the Treasury afterPresident William Ruto declined to sign the County Allocation of Revenue Bill. In his memorandum to the Senate, President Ruto cited the withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2024 which he argued had necessitated a government-wide revision of budget allocations.
“NOW THEREFORE, in exercise of the powers conferred on me by Article 115 (1) (b) of the Constitution, I decline to assent to the County Allocation of Revenue Bill, 2024, and refer the Bill for reconsideration by the Senate with the recommendations,” the President’s memo stated.
Senate Speaker Amason Kingi referred the memorandum to the Senate Finance and Budget Committee chaired by Mandera Senator Ali Roba and directed him to expedite the matter to unlock funds for counties.
The president declined to sign the Finance Bill despite rooting for its passage after a chaotic protest that saw protestors storm Parliament on June 25 leaving a trail of destruction and deaths. President Ruto said the withdrawal of the Bill would result in a budget deficit, with no additional taxation mechanism to finance the Sh3.9 trillion FY2024/25 budget.
In the revised allocations, Nairobi County will still receive the largest share at Ksh19.7 Billion,
Nakuru County Ksh 13.3 billion, Turkana County Ksh. 12.9 billion, Kakamega Ksh. 12.7 billion and Kiambu Sh12 billion respectively. Kilifi will receive Sh11.9 billion, Mandera County will receive Sh11.4 billion, and Bungoma County will get Sh10.9 billion. Kitui is projected to receive Sh10.6 billion while Meru’s allocation is set at Sh9.7 billion. Wajir will get Sh9.7 billion while Machakos will get Sh9.4 billion. Kisii County is expected to receive Sh9.1 billion while Narok will oversee a Sh9 billion allocation. Kwale will control Sh8.7 billion and Uasin Gishu Sh8.3 billion. Makueni is expected to receive Sh8.3 billion, Kisumu Sh8.2 billion and Migori Sh8.2 billion.
Garissa is set to receive Sh8.1 billion while Homa Bay will get Sh8 billion. Kajiado County is set to receive Sh8.1 billion. Mombasa County will receive Sh 7.7 billion, Marsabit County (Sh7.4 billion), Trans Nzoia (Sh7.3 billion), and Murang’a Sh7.3 billion. Busia will receive Sh7.3 billion, Nandi (Sh7.1 billion), and Siaya (Sh7.1 billion) while Tana River will get Sh6.6 billion. Kericho will manage Sh6.6 billion, Baringo (Sh6.5 billion) and West Pokot (Sh6.4 billion).
Nyeri is set to receive Sh6.3 billion while Nyandarua will get Sh5.8 billion. Samburu is projected to receive Sh5.5 billion, Kirinyaga (Sh5.3 billion), Laikipia (Sh 5.2 billion) and Embu (Sh5.2 billion). Vihiga is set to receive Sh5.1 billion, Nyamira (Sh5.2 billion) and Taita Taveta (Sh4.9 billion). Elgeyo Marakwet is set to receive Sh4.7 billion, Tharaka Nithi (Sh4.3 billion), Isiolo County (Sh 4.8 Billion) and Lamu (Sh3.1 billion).
