Nairobi big winner as counties get Sh88bn
The National Treasury has distributed Sh88.9 billion for development projects and other services in all the 47 counties.
Cabinet secretary Henry Rotich said the money was the fifth tranche specifically set aside for development projects and had been approved by the Senate.
Nationally, Nairobi had the biggest allocation — Sh4.4 billion, while Lamu had the lowest at Sh690 million.
Turkana had the second highest with Sh3.5 billion, followed by Mandera and Nakuru with Sh3 billion each.
In the Central and Eastern regions, Kiambu was among the biggest gainers with Sh2.6 billion, followed by Kitui with Sh2.4 billion, Machakos with Sh2.3 billion, Meru with Sh2.2 billion and Makueni with Sh2 billion.
Counties in the region with less than Sh2 billion were Murang’a, Embu, Kirinyaga, Laikipia, Nyandarua, Nyeri and Tharaka Nithi.
Biggest beneficiaries
Bungoma, Kisii and Kisumu were also part of the biggest beneficiaries having received over Sh2 billion each.
The lowest of the disbursement was Lamu county which got Sh600 million followed by Isiolo at Sh1.02 billion and Sh1.05 billion, respectively.
From this allocations, each county will use a specified amount for development projects.
The money is expected to make it possible for governors to initiate development projects after being on the spot for months over their spending on recurrent expenditure, including salaries, travel allowances and emoluments for officials.
Some of the governors had accused the Treasury of delaying the release of the funds.
According to the National Treasury, Bomet, Nairobi, Machakos and Homa Bay had spent most of their allocation in the fourth batch with their bank accounts balances standing at less than 40 per cent.
Bomet and Nairobi were the highest spenders, with less than 20 per cent balance.
“These two counties showed the highest use of the funds unlike the others with another notable example being Homa Bay whose balance was at 37 per cent,” said Mr Rotich.
On the least utilised accounts were Lamu, Meru and Siaya, which had over 75 per cent balances in their accounts.
As a result, Mr Rotich indicated, close to Sh38 billion of the Sh88.9 billion released had been utilised by the counties.