County Assemblies across Kenya will now enjoy full financial independence following the signing into law of a transformative bill by President William Ruto, ending years of financial control by county executives.
For more than a decade, governors have held sway over Assembly funds, often delaying or withholding disbursements, a practice critics say weakened oversight and eroded accountability. Out of 1,128 audit reports on both assemblies and executives over 12 years, fewer than 20 received clean opinions, less than 2 percent.
Speaking in Homa Bay on Wednesday, FCPA Hesbon Omollo hailed the reform as a turning point in devolution.
“I’m happy that our President, Dr. William Ruto, has today signed into law a transformative bill that will allow all 47 County Assemblies in Kenya to utilise their money without orders from county executives,” Omollo said. “For years, MCAs have had to kneel before governors to get funds for projects. This has compromised our ability to protect public resources.”
Omollo explained that under the new law, once a County Assembly approves its budget, funds will be disbursed directly, bypassing the governor’s office.
“This law will give County Assemblies the power to oversee how executives utilise resources and enhance accountability,” he added. “I am also pleased that the President has signed a provision to increase county allocations by KSh30 billion in the 2025/2026 budget to boost development.”
President Ruto, who assented to the County Allocation of Revenue Bill, 2025, and the County Public Finance Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2023, at State Lodge in Homa Bay, said the move underscores his administration’s resolve to strengthen devolution.
“We have increased the equitable share of revenue to KSh415 billion for our 47 counties, about KSh30 billion more from the previous financial year’s KSh387 billion,” Ruto said. “The significant increase in the funds underpins our commitment to mobilising more resources to support devolution and boost service delivery to the people at the grassroots.”
The County Public Finance Laws (Amendment) Bill, sponsored by Senator Kathuri Murungi, amends the Public Finance Management Act to establish a County Assembly Fund in each county, ensuring legislatures have direct control over their finances.
Leaders say the move will not only strengthen devolution but also dismantle entrenched patterns of executive patronage that have long stifled transparency.
