Kenya’s National Treasury has published a breakdown of how much each of the 47 counties has received in equitable revenue share since the start of devolution in the 2013/2014 financial year, with Nairobi emerging as the biggest beneficiary.
The figures were released by Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi in a statement carried in the government publication MyGov on Tuesday, January 27. The data shows that county governments have collectively received more than KSh 4 trillion over the period, covering both conditional and unconditional allocations.
According to the Exchequer, counties received a cumulative KSh 4.04 trillion between the 2013/2014 and 2024/2025 financial years. In the 2024/2025 fiscal year alone, transfers to county governments totalled KSh 444.56 billion.
Nairobi topped the list of counties with the highest allocations, having received KSh 195.6 billion from the national government since devolution began. It was followed by Turkana with KSh 138 billion, Kakamega with KSh 135.4 billion, Nakuru with KSh 135.2 billion, Kilifi with KSh 129 billion, and Kiambu with KSh 127.7 billion.
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The release of the figures comes amid growing public criticism over the slow pace of development in some counties despite substantial funding. Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua recently accused several northern counties of mismanaging public resources, pointing to Mandera, which has received KSh 124.6 billion, and Wajir, which got KSh 106.25 billion, yet continues to struggle with basic services such as food security, water and education.
On the other end of the scale, Treasury data shows that Lamu, Elgeyo Marakwet, Tharaka Nithi and Isiolo received the smallest shares over the period, at KSh 34.8 billion, KSh 50.3 billion, KSh 48 billion and KSh 50.6 billion respectively.
Mbadi noted that cash flow constraints have led to delayed salary payments and a buildup of pending bills in several counties. In the 2024/2025 financial year, he attributed funding shortfalls to delays in passing the County Governments Additional Allocation Act, 2025, exchange rate volatility and other fiscal pressures.
Separately, Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o has flagged weak development spending by some counties. In a report on the first quarter of the 2025/2026 financial year, she named 20 counties, including Kisumu, Trans Nzoia, Turkana, Bomet, Bungoma, Wajir and Vihiga, for failing to channel funds into development projects between July and September 2025.
