#counties

According to a report by the Budget Controller, Dr. Margaret Nyakang’o, nine counties in Kenya have spent less than 20% of their development budgets in the first nine months of the 2025/2026 financial year, focusing instead on salaries and other expenditures. Kajiado County recorded the lowest at 9% of its development budget, followed by Lamu at 11%. Other counties with low development spending include Siaya, Uasin Gishu, Baringo, Tana River, Nakuru, Migori, and Mombasa.

According to the County Governments Budget Implementation Review Report, Nandi County achieved the highest development absorption rate in the country at 55 percent. Meru and Wajir counties followed closely with rates of 54 percent each, while Marsabit County recorded a rate of 51 percent. These four counties are the only ones to exceed the 50 percent mark in development spending.