Counties spent Sh4.8 billion on legal fees, garbage collection - Controller of Budget

A report by the Controller of Budget, Margaret Nyakang’o, has revealed that county governments spent a massive Sh4.8 billion on legal fees and garbage collection.

The report, dated August 2024, shows that Sh2.7 billion was directed toward legal fees, arbitration and compensation payments, while Sh2.1 billion was used for garbage collection services.

Eleven counties were identified as the biggest spenders on legal expenses, with Nairobi leading followed by Kajiado, Kakamega, Kisumu, Kwale, Meru, Migori, Narok, Nyeri, Tana River, and Wajir.

"The Controller of Budget identified several challenges that hindered effective budget execution, including the National Treasury’s failure to disburse the June 2024 equitable share of revenue to county governments," reads the report.

Other issues noted were "high expenditures on personnel emoluments, low development budget spending through commercial bank accounts, underperformance in own-source revenue collection, high pending bills, delays in submitting financial and non-financial reports to the Controller of Budget, and excessive expenditure on travelling."

Nairobi County, under Governor Johnson Sakaja, led in both categories, spending Sh1.563 billion on garbage collection and Sh941.86 million on legal fees, arbitration, and compensation payments.

Governor Joseph Ole Lenku's Kajiado County spent Sh128.51 million on legal fees, while Fernandes Barasa’s Kakamega County allocated Sh181.43 million to similar expenses.

In Kisumu, Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o’s administration used Sh239.78 million on legal fees and Sh11.43 million on garbage collection. In Kwale, Governor Fatuma Achani’s county spent Sh46.67 million on legal fees.

Meru County, under Governor Kawira Mwangaza, spent Sh77.45 million on legal fees, arbitration, and compensation payments.

Additionally, Meru County had notable expenditures, including Sh42.42 million on membership fees to professional bodies, Sh800,000 on medical expenses, Sh200,000 on laundry expenses, Sh350,000 on HIV/AIDS workplace policy development and Sh1.49 million on counselling services.

In Migori, Governor Ochilo Ayacko’s administration spent Sh109.15 million on legal fees and Sh9.06 million on garbage collection. Narok County, led by Governor Patrick Ntutu, allocated Sh190.73 million for legal fees and Sh83.02 million for garbage collection.

Nyeri County, under Governor Mutahi Kahiga, spent Sh70.73 million on legal fees, while Governor Dhadho Godhana’s Tana River County allocated Sh124.28 million to legal fees and Sh2.85 million to garbage collection.

"A breakdown of 'Other Operating Expenses' in the operations and maintenance costs relates to legal fees, subscription to professional bodies, contracted guard services, contracted professional services, and membership fees," reads the report.

Wajir County, led by Governor Ahmed Abdullahi, spent Sh56.1 million on legal fees, while Samburu County used Sh9.71 million for legal fees, arbitration, and compensation payments.

In Siaya, Governor James Orengo’s county spent Sh20.7 million on legal fees, while Bomet County, under Governor Hillary Barchok, spent Sh5.51 million on legal fees and Sh19.5 million on garbage collection.

Governor Kenneth Lusaka’s Bungoma County spent Sh16.45 million on legal fees, while Busia County, under Governor Paul Otuoma, spent Sh37.6 million on the same.

In Elgeyo Marakwet, Governor Wilsley Rotich’s administration spent Sh2.73 million on legal fees. Embu County, led by Governor Cecily Mbarire, spent Sh20.48 million on legal fees, arbitration, and compensation payments, alongside Sh2.34 million on garbage collection.

In Garissa, Governor Nathif Jama allocated Sh7 million to legal fees, while Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga spent Sh12.74 million on legal fees.