Nairobi to get lion’s share of county funds

By Allan Kisia

Nairobi County will get the biggest share of allocation of funds from the national Government in the 2013-2014 financial year.

According to the County Allocation of Revenue Bill 2012, Nairobi will get Sh15.2 billion out of the total sum of Sh198.6 billion. Nakuru County comes in second with Sh7.3 billion followed by Kiambu County at Sh7.1 billion and then Kakamega County with Sh6.5 billion. Turkana County seals the top five position with a total of Sh6.3 billion.

The Bill tabled before the House on Thursday, provides for the equitable division of revenue raised nationally among county governments for the 2013-2014 fiscal year. It also outlines the responsibilities of national and county governments.

According to the Bill, Lamu County will get the smallest share of allocation followed by Isiolo County. Lamu and Isiolo will get Sh1.6 billion and Sh1.9 billion respectively. Tharaka Nithi County will get Sh2 billion while Samburu County will be allocated Sh2.3 billion. Taita Taveta County will get Sh2.31 billion.

The Bill notes that the Treasury will publish a quarterly report on actual transfers of allocations to county governments. “The county treasury shall reflect the total allocations from the national Government separately in the county governments Finance Bill and reflect all transfers in its books of accounts,” reads the Bill in part.

It further notes that an erroneous transfer may be recovered immediately of set-off against future transfers to that county government. The Bill also provides mechanisms for resolution of disputes arising from “the provision of this Act or any issue on division or allocation of revenue to the county governments.”

Budgetary estimates for other counties are displayed to the right.