Nyoro pushes for higher county allocations in budget debate

Kiharu Member of Parliament Ndindi Nyoro has called on the National Assembly to support an increase in allocations to county governments.

Ndoro argues that the current proposal to retain counties’ share at Sh420 billion does not reflect the growth in national revenue and inflationary pressures.

Speaking in the National Assembly on Tuesday during debate on the Financial Bill 2026, Nyoro said Parliament should reconsider the proposed allocation to counties as the country moves towards a significantly larger national budget.

“Honourable Speaker, there is a rise in terms of the revenues of Kenya from last financial year to this current financial year, nominally to around eight to 10 per cent,” Nyoro said.

He noted that Parliament would soon be considering a national budget of nearly Sh4.8 trillion, the highest in the country’s history, and questioned why county allocations had remained unchanged despite the growth in government revenue.

“We are now considering a budget of around Sh4.8 trillion, a figure we have never considered in this House before,” he said.

Nyoro urged MPs to approach the debate objectively and avoid personalising discussions around county funding and governors.

“It is important that as we consider these matters, let us not personalise. When we personalise, we are likely to become subjective,” he said.

The Kiharu MP argued that retaining county allocations at the same level would place devolved units under pressure at a time when inflation and rising operational costs continue to affect service delivery.

“We have actually maintained the same amount we give to our county governments, the share of revenue of Sh420 billion. We are proposing to sustain the same, and I do not think that is fair, especially given the inflationary pressures,” Nyoro told the House.

The debate comes amid ongoing discussions between the National Assembly and the Senate over the equitable share of revenue allocated to counties for the 2026-27 financial year.

County governments have been pushing for an increase in allocations, citing rising wage bills, pending bills and increased demand for services.

Nyoro also used his contribution to criticise the current political alignment in Parliament, saying the traditional distinction between the Majority and Minority sides had become blurred following cooperation between sections of government and opposition leaders.

“We are lying to ourselves and to the Kenyan people that in this House there is a Minority side and a Majority side. There is none,” he said.

The MP said Parliament should remain a House of debate with alternative views rather than members appearing to speak from one political position.

“There must be alternative voices,” Nyoro said.

The outcome of the debate is expected to shape negotiations on county funding ahead of the presentation of the Financial Bill 2026.