NAIROBI, Kenya – Kenya’s Members of Parliament have approved the County Governments Additional Allocations Bill, 2024, authorizing the release of Sh50.5 billion in funding to all 47 county governments.
The move is expected to unlock long-delayed projects and support critical services across the country, including healthcare, industrial development, and infrastructure.
The Bill, which now awaits Presidential assent, facilitates the transfer of both conditional and unconditional allocations from the National Government and international development partners to the counties for the 2024/25 financial year.
Leader of the Majority and sponsor of the Bill, Kimani Ichung’wah, told lawmakers that the allocations would enhance devolved service delivery and strengthen county functions as outlined under Articles 202(2) and 190 of the Constitution.
According to the Bill, Sh8.42 billion will come from the National Government’s share of revenue, Sh116.1 million from court fines, and a significant Sh42 billion from development partners—primarily the World Bank, which is supporting Sh33.1 billion worth of initiatives.
Among the major allocations:
- Sh3.23 billion will support Community Health Promoters (CHPs) under the Afya Bora Mashinani program, a key primary healthcare initiative.
- Sh2.9 billion is earmarked for the construction of County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs) in 21 counties. Each participating county will contribute Sh250 million.
- Sh1.76 billion will go towards the Kenya Devolution Support Programme.
- Sh1.759 billion has been allocated to settle salary arrears for county health workers under a Return-to-Work Agreement with the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists, and Dentists Union (KMPDU).
- Sh523.1 million will fund the construction of county headquarters in Isiolo, Lamu, Tana River, and Tharaka Nithi.
Additionally, the Bill outlines development partner-supported projects in agriculture, health, water, sanitation, climate action, and urban development.
In its report, the Budget and Appropriations Committee warned that the delay in passing the Bill had already begun affecting essential county operations.
“The delayed approval of this Bill has begun to impact the timely payment of Community Health Promoters and the execution of industrial park projects,” the committee noted.
With the Bill now set for signing by President William Ruto, counties are expected to fast-track stalled projects and resume critical services, particularly in health and infrastructure.
Once signed into law, the funds will offer a much-needed lifeline for counties grappling with tight budgets, stalled developments, and unpaid workers—marking a crucial step in the ongoing effort to strengthen Kenya’s devolution framework.
