Nairobi among counties splashing billions on garbage collection, legal fees
Kenyans have continuously demanded that county governments justify their expenditures amid a struggling economy and growing calls for improved service delivery.
Several counties including Nairobi, Kilifi, Narok and Lamu have been put in a spot for splashing billions of shillings on non-essential expenditures such as catering, legal fees and garbage collection, while development projects receive minimal funding, according to a new report by the Controller of Budget (COB).
Nairobi led with the highest expenditure on legal fees and garbage collection, spending Sh719.2 million and Sh897.82 million, respectively. The county also allocated Sh784.60 million to other operating expenses, Sh269.29 million to food supplies and Sh38.03 million to hospitality supplies.
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The County Governments’ Budget Implementation Review Report (CGBIRR) for the first half of the 2024/25 financial year paints a worrying picture of fiscal priorities, revealing that counties collectively spent Sh102.32 billion (55 per cent) on recurrent expenses.
Compensation to employees took up Sh95 billion (26 per cent), while operations and maintenance consumed Sh95 billion (26 per cent), leaving a mere Sh33.60 billion (18 per cent) for development expenditures.
“Recurrent expenditure was Sh151.26 billion, representing 40 per cent of the annual recurrent budget, a similar absorption rate to that reported in the First Half of FY 2023/24, where recurrent expenditure was Sh72 billion. Development expenditure amounted to Sh33.60 billion, representing an absorption rate of 16 per cent and an increase from 12 per cent in the first half of FY 2023/24,” reads the report.
In Narok County, Governor Patrick Ntutu’s administration spent Sh1.5 billion on “specialised” materials and services, Sh69.96 million on training, Sh87.81 million on routine vehicle maintenance and Sh242.82 million on other operating expenses.
Siaya County, under Governor James Orengo, allocated Sh22.19 million to contracted guards and cleaning services, Sh82.51 million to insurance, Sh55.96 million to training, Sh38.01 million to general office supplies and Sh39.45 million to routine maintenance.
Bungoma County, led by Governor Ken Lusaka, spent Sh173.33 million on garbage collection, Sh39.13 million on printing and advertisement, Sh6.14 million on rent and Sh21.16 million on fuel and lubricants.
In Bomet, Governor Hillary Barchok’s administration allocated Sh20.82 million to garbage collection, Sh25.94 million to public participation, Sh40.08 million to training and Sh42.08 million to hospitality.
Spending on sports
Machakos and Homa Bay counties made headlines for their spending on sports.
In Machakos, Governor Wavinya Ndeti’s administration allocated Sh45.02 million to the Governor’s Cup and KICOSCA games, Sh7.59 million to security operations, and Sh167.36 million to hospitality supplies.
Meanwhile, Governor Gladys Wanga’s Homa Bay County spent Sh19 million on the Governor’s Cup, Sh37.23 million on office supplies and Sh27.4 million on training expenses.
Kajiado County, under Governor Joseph Ole Lenku, used Sh54.75 million in legal fees and arbitration costs, while Kakamega County under Governor Fernandes Barasa spent Sh418 million on routine maintenance, Sh53 million on office furniture and Sh6.06 million on legal fees.
Kilifi County’s report revealed that Governor Gideon Mung’aro’s administration allocated Sh200 million to housing loans for public servants, Sh60 million to food and rations, and Sh44.81 million to contracted guards.
Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o’s Kisumu County spent Sh48.21 million on legal fees, Sh1.77 million on catering and Sh16.23 million on garbage collection.
In Meru, Governor Kawira Mwangaza’s administration spent Sh362 million in insurance costs and Sh37.58 million in hospitality supplies and services.
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir’s administration spent Sh76.5 million on hospitality, Sh13.33 million on office furniture and Sh10.48 million on advertising and printing.
Uasin Gishu County under Governor Jonathan Bii allocated Sh174 million to board allowances, Sh25 million to catering services, and Sh36 million to training expenses.
The revelation of extravagant spending comes at a time when Kenyans have been raising concerns over various issues, including poor roads, inadequate healthcare services, high cost of living and insufficient education funding.
Critics argue that counties are prioritising non-essential expenditures over critical development projects.
With development expenditure remaining low, concerns are growing over the effectiveness of devolution in addressing pressing issues such as unemployment, healthcare and infrastructure development.
Kenyans have continuously demanded that county governments justify their expenditures amid a struggling economy and growing calls for improved service delivery.
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