Counties in Kenya have been heavily criticised for mismanagement, after it was revealed they spent Sh13 billion on travel while development projects stalled. Over the first nine months of the 2025/26 financial year, governors and officials incurred Sh11.4 billion on domestic trips and Sh1.8 billion overseas.
Controller of Budget, Margaret Nyakang’o, stated that nearly half of the 47 counties failed to allocate the required 30 per cent of their budgets to development. The funds used for travel could have equipped health facilities and completed much-needed infrastructure projects.
Dr Nyakang’o expressed concern over the excessive spending, which diverts money away from essential services. The report highlighted irregularities in pending bills and raised alarms about the ongoing mismanagement of public funds.
Despite President William Ruto’s plea for improved fiscal discipline among public institutions, county leaders have largely ignored the call to “live within their means.”
