Counties Set To Receive Sh457.28 Billion In Fresh Cash But Governors Cry Foul Over Delayed UHC Funds

Kenya’s 47 counties could receive Sh457.28 billion from the national government in the 2027/2028 financial year if a proposal by the Commission on Revenue Allocation is approved. The amount is Sh29.28 billion more than the Sh428 billion allocated in the current financial year which ends on June 30 2027.

The commission is led by Mary Chebukati. She told journalists on Thursday that the proposal is based on projected national revenue of Sh3.24 trillion. The national government would get Sh2.78 trillion. Another Sh10.25 billion would be released through the Equalisation Fund.

Chebukati said the increase will help pay salaries for health workers under the Universal Health Coverage programme. It will also cover pay rises for public officers under the fourth phase of the Salaries and Remuneration Commission recommendations. The deal reached with nurses will also be funded. Counties will gain three percent more capacity to serve citizens.

She said the share for counties is equal to 22.3 percent of the recently approved national revenue. This is above the 15 percent minimum set by the Constitution.

The proposal comes as the Council of Governors complains about delays in releasing Sh8.9 billion meant for UHC workers hired by counties on permanent and pensionable terms. Chairman Muthomi Njuki said counties have paid the workers for four months using money from other sources. He said the funds remain at the Treasury because Senate procedures are not complete and demanded immediate release.

The commission also proposed raising recurrent spending for county assemblies to Sh50.36 billion from Sh39.19 billion. The Sh11.17 billion increase will cover pay for MCAs and other costs such as vehicles and training. County executives would get Sh25.85 billion for recurrent spending which is an increase of only Sh602 million.

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