Nairobi Tops List Of Counties That Spent Zero On Development Projects, CoB Report

• Controller of Budget (CoB) Margaret Nyakang'o noted that county governments’ total expenditure from July 1 to September 1 amounted to KSh 67.47 billion
• During the period under review, counties spent KSh 60.52 billion for recurrent activities (89.7%) and KSh 6.92 billion (10.3%) for development activities
• The report showed Bomet (20.9%) topped the list of counties with the highest budget absorption rates tying with Narok

TUKO.co.ke journalist Japhet Ruto brings over eight years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting, offering deep insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.

A report by the Controller of Budget (CoB) Margaret Nyakang'o has revealed counties that spent zero on development in the first quarter of the 2023/2024 financial year.

Nyakang'o noted that county governments’ total expenditure from July 1 to September 1 amounted to KSh 67.47 billion.

During the period under review, counties spent KSh 60.52 billion for recurrent activities (89.7%) and KSh 6.92 billion (10.3%) for development activities.

"The aggregate expenditure represented an absorption of 12.6% of the aggregate FY 2023/24 annual county governments’ budget and an improvement from an absorption rate of 11.4% achieved in a similar period of FY 2023/24 when the cumulative expenditure was KSh 54.82 billion," the report stated.

Which counties had the highest absorption rates?

The report showed Bomet (20.9%) topped the list of counties with the highest budget absorption rates tying with Narok at 20.9%.

It was followed by Nandi at 20.6%, Kitui at 17.6%, Isiolo at 17.0% and Nyamira at 16.9%.

"On the other hand, Nairobi city, Wajir, Siaya, Kilifi and Turkana recorded the lowest aggregate absorption rates at 8.1%, 8.0 per cent, 7.1%, 6.7% and 6.2% respectively," the report disclosed.

Narok governor Samuel Ole Ntutu spent the highest funds on development at KSh 1.3 billion (30%), followed by Bomet's Hillary Barchok (17%), while Uasin Gishu, Vihiga and Garissa counties spent below 15%.

Meanwhile, counties with the lowest absorption rates of their respective development budgets were Siaya, Elgeyo Marakwet, Baringo, Nakuru and Bungoma at 1.3%, 1.2%, 0.5%, 0.2%and 0.2%, respectively.

Which counties spent zero on development?

Under governor Johson Sakaja, Nairobi spent KSh 176 million on domestic travel, KSh 51.8 million on fuel, KSh 28 million on hospitality and KSh 11.9 million on foreign trips.

Besides Nairobi, other counties that spent zero on development were Embu (Cecily Mbarire), Homa Bay (Gladys Wanga), Kericho (Eric Mutai), Kilifi (Gideon Mung'aro) and Machakos (Wavinya Ndeti).

The list also included Samburu (Jonathan Lati Leleliit), Turkana (Jeremiah Lomorukai), Wajir (Ahmed Abdullahi) and West Pokot (Simon Kachapin).

"Counties incurred KSh 41.79 billion (69% of the total recurrent expenditure) on personnel emoluments and KSh 18.76 billion (31% of the total recurrent expenditure) on operations and maintenance.

Out of KSh 18.76 billion incurred on operations and maintenance, the county assemblies cumulatively spent KSh 312.98 million on MCAs’ sitting allowances against an approved budget allocation for sitting allowances of KSh 1.94 billion," the report added.

Which were the best governors according to Infotrak?

In October, the findings of a survey carried out by Infotrak listed governors George Natembeya and Gladys Wanga of Trans Nzoia and Homa Bay, respectively, as the best-performing county bosses.

Natembeya and Wanga are first-timers in the Council of Governors (CoG).

The pollster in the report released on Tuesday, October 31, indicated that the duo of best-performing governors scored 70% each.

West Pokot's Simon Kachapin trailed them with a 67% score while Sakaja ranked bottom.

Kisii governor Simba Arati, Murang’a's Irungu Kanga’ta, Turkana's Jeremiah Lomorukai and Mutula Kilonzo Junior of Makueni tied in the third place with 64% each.

Embattled Meru governor Kawira Mwangaza and Kitui governor Julius Malombe were deemed to have improved in performance, all with a score of 63%.