Members of Parliament have introduced reforms targeting county government spending, aiming to curb escalating salary bills that are limiting funds available for development projects.

During the Third Reading of the County Governments (Amendment) Bill 2026, legislators highlighted concerns that the bulk of county allocations—now at Sh428 billion annually—are absorbed by recurrent expenses, especially wages and administrative costs, rather than critical sectors such as healthcare and Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE).

Key Concerns Raised by MPs

  • High Wage Bills: National Assembly Majority Whip Silvanus Osoro noted that up to 90% of county funds are spent on salaries, leaving minimal resources for infrastructure and service delivery.
  • Governors’ Spending Practices: Osoro criticized governors for bypassing County Executive Committee members and engaging directly with chief officers, potentially undermining accountability.
  • Excessive County Staff at Functions: The presence of large numbers of county employees during public events was cited as an unnecessary expense diverting resources from development.
  • Public Misunderstanding: MPs expressed concern that many citizens confuse the roles of MPs and governors, expecting legislators to deliver services that fall under county governments.

Proposed Reforms

  • Introduce caps on recurrent expenditure to ensure a greater proportion of funds are allocated to development projects.
  • Protect budget allocations for priority sectors, such as mandating specific percentages for health, ECDE, and polytechnic education.
  • Enhance oversight to prevent misuse of county resources and promote transparent spending.

Gilgil MP Martha Wangari supported the reforms, emphasizing that despite increased funding, county wage bills continue to grow, adversely affecting development outcomes. She suggested earmarking funds for key sectors to improve accountability and service delivery.

Buuri MP Mugambi Rindikiri added that recurrent expenses consume nearly three-quarters of his county’s budget, limiting meaningful development and likening county management to private ownership by governors.

The proposed amendments aim to strengthen financial controls within county governments and ensure that devolved funds are effectively used to improve public services and infrastructure.