Skewed priorities? Governors under fire over nil development spending

Governor in a meeting./FILE

Governors are facing mounting pressure over the failure by several county governments to absorb their development budgets in the first quarter of the 2025–26 financial year.

Senators are accusing county bosses of misplaced priorities even as governors insist it is too early to pass judgment.

According to the latest County Governments Budget Implementation Review Report released by Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o, 20 counties spent nothing on development projects in the first three months of the fiscal year.

The revelation has triggered an uproar, with senators questioning whether devolution is delivering tangible benefits to wananchi.

The report shows the counties recorded zero development expenditure between July and September, a period traditionally considered critical for kick-starting projects outlined in annual development plans.

Senators argue the trend indicates weak planning and a concerning shift away from service delivery.

However, governors have pushed back, blaming systemic challenges rather than lack of commitment to development.

They cite the recently rolled-out electronic government procurement (e-GP) system, delayed release of funds by the National Treasury and prolonged closure of the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) as key reasons for the under-absorption.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, speaking in a previous interview, said procurement processes are complex and cannot realistically be completed within three months.

“You cannot advertise on procurement, do all the evaluations, award tenders and pay within three months. Most of these payments will mature in the second and third quarters,” Sakaja said.

Despite the explanations, senators remain unconvinced, accusing governors of failing to prioritise development spending.

Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei pointed it to a lack of seriousness among some county leaders.

“The under-absorption shows most governors are not development-conscious. They prefer travelling abroad. I saw one county spend Sh14 million on foreign travel but spend nothing on development,” Cherargei said.

He called for tighter oversight by the Senate to ensure counties align their budgets with the priority needs of residents.

“Some governors have been all over claiming the national government is not doing anything, yet they are spending zero on development. It is a shame.” 

The Senate committee’s vice-chairperson, Tabitha Mutinda, also raised concern, warning that failure to utilise development funds undermines the very essence of devolution.

“Development funds are meant to directly improve the lives of citizens through infrastructure, health, water and other essential services,” Mutinda said.

She noted that persistent under-absorption points to deeper challenges, including weak planning, procurement delays, capacity gaps and, in some cases, poor governance.

Mutinda said the Senate would continue to exercise its oversight role to ensure counties address bottlenecks in planning and execution, strengthen accountability and deliver value for money.

“Public resources must translate into tangible development, and we will continue to push for better absorption for the benefit of wananchi,” she said.

Nyamira Senator Okong’o O'Mogeni took an even harsher stance, accusing governors of deliberately sidelining development.

“They are the worst enemies of devolution. Their priority is to turn counties into employment bureaus, rewarding cronies and relatives with jobs. It is a very sad state of affairs,” O'Mogeni said.

The counties that recorded zero development spending include Kericho under Governor Eric Mutai, Tana River led by Dhadho Godhana, Turkana (Jeremiah Lomorukai), Bomet (Hillary Barchok) and  James Orengo’s Siaya.

Others are Trans Nzoia (George Natembeya), Baringo (Benjamin Cheboi), Kilifi (Gideon Mung’aro), Kwale (Fatuma Achani), Kajiado (Joseph ole Lenku), Kisumu (Anyang’ Nyong’o) and Mombasa (Abdulswamad Nassir).

Also on the list are Vihiga (Wilber Ottichilo), Busia (Paul Otuoma), West Pokot (Simon Kachapin), Bungoma (Ken Lusaka), Uasin Gishu (Jonathan Bii), Wajir (Ahmed Abdullahi), Laikipia (Joshua Irungu) and Kisii (Simba Arati).

In contrast, Isiolo county emerged best performer, posting a 17 per cent absorption rate of its development budget in the first quarter.

Kirinyaga followed with seven per cent, while Machakos, Mandera, Murang’a, Kitui and Makueni each recorded five per cent, placing them among the relatively better-performing counties.

Overall, county governments spent only Sh3.69 billion on development activities during the period under review, representing just two per cent of the annual development budget of Sh220.46 billion.

This marked a sharp 45 per cent decline compared to the Sh6.71 billion spent in the same period of the 2024–25 financial year.

In her advisory, Nyakang’o urged counties to accelerate development spending in the remaining quarters of the financial year.

“The Controller of Budget advises county governments to increase their expenditures from development budgets for the remainder of FY 2025–26.

This will help improve the absorption rate of development funds and promote overall county development,” she said.

INSTANT ANALYSIS:

In the first quarter of FY 2025–26, county governments spent Sh3.69 billion on development activities, representing an absorption rate of two per cent of the annual development budget of Sh220.46 billion. This reflects a 45 per cent decrease compared to the Sh6.71 billion spent during the same period in FY 2024–25. Further analysis revealed that 20 county governments reported a nil development absorption rate, while 26 counties reported an absorption rate of 10 per cent or less for their development programmes.