Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja is among 10 governors whose counties failed to spend any funds on development projects in the three months ending September 2024, according to a new report. The other counties in this group include Baringo, Elgeyo-Marakwet, Kajiado, Kisii, Lamu, Nyandarua, Tana River, Uasin Gishu, and West Pokot.
The County Governments’ Budget Implementation Review Report (CGBIRR) for FY 2024/25, covering the period from July to September 2024, highlights a troubling trend in county government spending. Despite a total allocation of Ksh 576.73 billion to all 47 counties, only Ksh 6.71 billion (3%) of the development budget was spent, a significant decline from 4% in the same period of FY 2023/24.
While counties like Kirinyaga and Busia led the way with higher development expenditure absorption rates of 12%, the lack of spending on development projects in Nairobi and other counties deprives citizens of crucial infrastructure and public services.
For instance, Nairobi City County spent Ksh 2.89 billion in the reporting period, but all of it went toward recurrent expenses like employee compensation and operational costs, with no funds allocated to development. Similarly, counties like Baringo, Elgeyo Marakwet, and Kajiado focused entirely on recurrent expenditures.
The report also highlights a growing backlog of pending bills, which now total Ksh 168.62 billion, affecting service delivery and local businesses. With many counties failing to meet revenue targets, the situation is putting added strain on public resources and governance.
This development has raised concerns over fiscal management and accountability, with experts urging counties to prioritize development spending to meet the needs of their populations.
