President William Ruto has assented to two bills into law, including legislation increasing additional allocations to county governments to Sh71.09 billion in the 2026-27 financial year.

The President signed the County Governments Additional Allocations Bill, 2026, and the County Assembly Services (Amendment) Bill, 2023, at Eldoret State Lodge in Uasin Gishu County.

In a statement following the signing, Ruto said the additional allocations would rise from Sh70.67 billion in the 2025/2026 financial year to Sh71.09 billion in 2026/2027, an increase of Sh425.6 million.

He said the funding would support essential services and development programmes implemented by county governments.

“Our goal is to strengthen devolution, improve service delivery and ensure county governments have the resources necessary to fulfil their responsibilities and improve the lives of Kenyans,” Ruto said.

The allocations will support healthcare, agriculture, climate change resilience, drought response, water and sanitation, among other programmes.

According to the President, the funds are drawn from the national government’s share of revenue, statutory entitlements, loans and grants from development partners.

The additional allocations are intended to provide counties with resources for programmes within their areas of responsibility, including the delivery of essential services and responses to local development needs.

The increase comes as county governments continue to manage services such as healthcare, water provision and agricultural support, while addressing challenges including drought and climate change.

The second law signed by Ruto, the County Assembly Services (Amendment) Bill, 2023, concerns the governance and administration of county assemblies.

The legislation establishes procedures for the removal of members of County Assembly Service Boards and for the suspension and removal of county assembly clerks.

It also safeguards the rights and benefits of staff serving on secondment, according to the President’s statement.

The changes are intended to provide clearer procedures for handling leadership and administrative matters within county assemblies, while setting out protections for affected staff.

County assemblies play a role in county governance through legislation, representation and oversight of county executives. Their administrative structures support the day-to-day operations of the assemblies and their legislative work.

The two laws therefore address separate aspects of devolution: financing county programmes and the administration of county assemblies.