Nairobi, Narok, Kiambu lead in county revenue collection as Tana River surpasses target
Nairobi led the way in revenue generation, posting Sh9.9 billion. Narok followed with Sh4.9 billion, then Kiambu at Sh3.3 billion. Mombasa and Nakuru rounded off the top five with Sh3.2 billion and Sh2.5 billion, respectively.
A group of ten counties has emerged as the biggest contributors to county-generated income, collecting a combined Sh30 billion between June 2024 and March 2025, despite facing a difficult economic period marked by countrywide protests and disrupted business activity.
The latest County Governments Budget Implementation Review Report by the Controller of Budget shows that county governments raised Sh45.91 billion in the nine months under review, an increase from Sh41.40 billion collected during a similar period the previous year.
More To Read
- Protest essentials: A look into what to carry to stay safe, alert, and resilient
- Treasury fails to release Sh30 billion in pension payments- CoB
- Senate orders crackdown on governors, MCAs over use of public funds for self-promotion
- Controller of Budget hit by Sh70 million slash despite calls for increased funding
- Controller of Budget proposes funding freeze for counties involved in prolonged leadership wrangles
- Debt: Senators expose how counties are driving contractors into bankruptcy
The protests sparked by the 2024 Finance Bill had slowed down economic activity, especially in major urban centres, with Nairobi bearing the brunt of the unrest.
Despite the turmoil, Nairobi led the way in revenue generation, posting Sh9.9 billion. Narok followed with Sh4.9 billion, then Kiambu at Sh3.3 billion. Mombasa and Nakuru rounded off the top five with Sh3.2 billion and Sh2.5 billion, respectively.
Kisumu (Sh1.3 billion), Kakamega (Sh1.2 billion), Machakos (Sh1.1 billion), Homa Bay (Sh1 billion), and Kilifi (Sh913 million) also made it to the top ten.
The report attributes Nakuru’s growing figures to developments following its city status in 2021.
“Collectively, county governments generated Sh45.91 billion from their revenue sources during the period, representing 53 per cent of the annual target of Sh87.11 billion,” said Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o.
In terms of meeting or exceeding their targets, Tana River County stood out after collecting 172 per cent of its revenue goal.
Garissa reached 104 per cent, Narok 99 per cent, Samburu 85 per cent, Kirinyaga 78 per cent and Elgeyo-Marakwet 74 per cent.
“Five counties — Tana River, Garissa, Narok, Samburu, and Kirinyaga — exceeded 75 per cent of their annual targets. Tana River County’s exceptional performance during the review period is attributed to revenue from significant gypsum extraction. Other strong performers like Narok and Garissa collected most of their own source revenue from tourism and health facilities,” the report stated.
Still, not all counties recorded strong performance. Nyamira, Busia, Siaya, Embu, Nandi, Kajiado, Kwale, Bomet, Taita-Taveta, Bungoma and even Kilifi, despite being among the top ten in total revenue, all failed to hit 50 per cent of their annual collection targets.
The Controller of Budget has now called for counties to make better forecasts and adopt realistic plans for future revenue generation.
“Counties should also consider revising their source revenue projections for the next period to align with realistic and achievable targets which can be attained by using an objective revenue forecasting model,” Nyakang’o said.
Top Stories Today
