Senators blast CS Mbadi for delaying county funds despite commitment, vow to summon him quarterly
Senators have maintained that they have increased their vigilance in overseeing the timely release of the funds, as many counties struggle to meet their financial obligations.
Senators have vowed to summon Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi at the beginning of each quarter to explain delays in county fund disbursements, warning that the persistent holdup is paralysing essential services in devolved units.
The legislators said, despite the CS appearing before MPs last week and pledging to fast-track the release of National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) allocations, counties are yet to receive their equitable share, leaving many unable to pay staff or implement key projects.
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Speaking during a press briefing at the Senate Liaison Committee retreat in Mombasa, Senate Deputy Speaker and Liaison Committee Chairperson Kathuri Murungi (Meru) emphasised that the continued delays were affecting the functioning of county governments.
“Last week, the Treasury CS appeared before the National Assembly and made commitments regarding the disbursement of NG-CDF funds. Likewise, we’ll summon him to the Senate every quarter to ensure counties receive their rightful share, without delay,” Murungi said.
His remarks came amid growing discontent among county governments and senators, with many complaining of stalled development projects and mounting wage arrears.
During his appearance before Parliament, Mbadi defended the government’s fiscal position, attributing delays to liquidity constraints in the first quarter of the year due to statutory obligations, including loans and Gen Z protests that have affected the fiscal headroom.
“January, April and March are usually very difficult months for us at the National Treasury and for the economy of Kenya as a whole. I want to explain to my colleagues that these are the months you must first pay capitation to schools in the first term,” he said.
He also highlighted the government’s tight fiscal schedule, pointing to heavy loan repayments in January, including Sh10.6 billion to China for the Standard Gauge Railway and other obligations totalling Sh75 billion.
He explained that the loan obligations, compounded by a ballooning wage bill that rose to Sh80 billion due to the onboarding of JSS teachers and salary adjustments for lecturers and security forces, have affected the liquidity issues in the docket.
“Our salary wage bill has moved from Sh75 billion to Sh80 billion per month. When you add loan payments and salaries, that’s already Sh150 billion before even touching counties or CDF,” Mbadi said.
However, the Senators have maintained that they have increased their vigilance in overseeing the timely release of the funds, as many counties struggle to meet their financial obligations.
The ongoing Liaison Committee retreat has brought together Senate committee chairpersons and the Secretariat to reflect on legislative performance, induct newly elected chairpersons, and chart a more strategic and collaborative path for the Senate’s oversight work moving forward.
Held under the theme “Sustaining Excellence in Committee Service Delivery through Synergy, Agility and Innovation,” the retreat also seeks the Senate’s evolving oversight agenda and the need for a better-resourced committee system.
“The Liaison Committee is not merely administrative, it is profoundly strategic. We determine which issues are prioritised, which reports are debated and how resources are apportioned. In doing so, we shape the Senate’s legacy as a champion of devolution,” Murungi said, reflecting on the committee’s role in improving county funding.
Murungi also praised the Senate’s committee structure as the “engine room” responsible for driving legislative scrutiny, budget accountability and citizen representation.
He pointed to the Third Session’s achievements, including the successful Mediation Committee, which he co-chaired, and which resulted in an increase in county revenue allocation from Sh391.1 billion to Sh400.1 billion.
The retreat provided an opportunity for the induction of newly elected committee chairpersons, as well as fostering collaboration across committees. Murungi urged committee chairs to embrace collegiality, innovation and inclusivity in fulfilling their oversight roles.
Deputy Clerk Eunice Gichangi, addressing the retreat on behalf of the Clerk of the Senate, welcomed participants and stressed the Secretariat’s continued support in strengthening committee work.
“This retreat provides a valuable platform to share experiences, identify lessons learned, and explore innovative solutions. We look forward to fruitful deliberations and wish all committees great success this session,” Gichangi said.
The two-day retreat aims to evaluate Senate committee performance, address operational gaps, and strategise on the challenges of limited resources, complex legislative workloads and rising public expectations.
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