A high-level Senate meeting has revealed a critical roadblock in Kenya’s budget process, with the national revenue body citing persistent failures by county governments to submit essential financial data.
The Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Budget convened with the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) on Tuesday to review the proposed Recurrent Expenditure Budget Ceilings for County Governments for the 2026/2027 Financial Year.
In a unified stance, the committee members emphasized that beginning the budget process early was crucial for achieving superior outcomes for all 47 counties.
However, the session was dominated by a stark warning from CRA Chairperson Mrs. Mary Wanyonyi Chebukati. She identified a major operational challenge: the chronic delay and, in some cases, complete non-submission of crucial financial data from county governments and county assemblies.
"This deficiency severely constrains the Commission’s ability to perform accurate analysis and determine equitable resource sharing models," Mrs. Chebukati stated, highlighting that the lack of reliable data undermines the very foundation of fiscal planning.In response to this systemic problem, discussions turned to potential legislative fixes. Both Senators and CRA Commissioners explored the feasibility of recommending an amendment to Regulation 25 of the Public Finance Management (PFM) Act, acknowledging that the current framework for compelling data submission is proving ineffective.
Echoing this call for stronger mechanisms, Committee Vice Chairperson Senator Tabitha Mutinda pushed for a formalized relationship between the Senate and the CRA.
“There is a need for a unified, possibly legal, way to mandate data provision from counties. This will ensure accountability and improve the quality of budgetary decisions,” Senator Mutinda asserted.She further encouraged the CRA to proactively engage with the Senate Finance Committee to present draft amendments to the PFM laws for discussion.
Despite the challenges outlined, the session concluded with a joint commitment to continued cooperation, which both bodies deemed vital for supporting efficient service delivery by county governments across Kenya.
