Ruto Signs KSh71.09 Billion County Funding Law at Eldoret State Lodge

President William Ruto has signed into law the County Governments Additional Allocations Bill, 2026, increasing additional funding to county governments to KSh71.09 billion for the 2026/2027 financial year.

The President assented to the Bill at Eldoret State Lodge in Uasin Gishu County, paving the way for additional resources to support key development programmes and improve service delivery across the country's 47 counties.

Under the new law, additional allocations to county governments will rise from KSh70.67 billion in the 2025/2026 financial year to KSh71.09 billion in 2026/2027, representing an increase of KSh425.6 million.

The funds will be drawn from the National Government's share of revenue, statutory entitlements, loans and grants from development partners to support priority programmes at the county level.

According to the President, the additional resources will support critical sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, climate change resilience, drought response, and water and sanitation.

The funding is expected to strengthen county governments' capacity to implement development projects, address local challenges and improve access to essential services for residents.

Ruto said the move was part of the government's broader commitment to strengthening devolution and ensuring county administrations have the financial resources required to fulfil their constitutional responsibilities.

The President emphasised that adequate funding for county governments remains important in improving service delivery and addressing the needs of Kenyans at the grassroots.

The additional allocations are expected to complement existing county revenue and other transfers as devolved units implement their development priorities for the 2026/2027 financial year.

Ruto Also Signs County Assembly Services Amendment Bill

In a separate development, President Ruto also signed the County Assembly Services (Amendment) Bill, 2023, into law, introducing measures aimed at strengthening the governance and administration of county assemblies.

The legislation establishes clear and fair procedures for the removal of members of County Assembly Service Boards, as well as the suspension and removal of county assembly clerks.

It also safeguards the rights and benefits of staff serving on secondment, providing protections for employees working within county assembly service structures.

The amendments are intended to provide a clearer administrative framework for handling leadership and employment matters within county assemblies while strengthening institutional governance.

County assemblies play a key role in devolution through legislation, approval of county budgets and oversight of county executive governments. Their administrative structures support the execution of these constitutional responsibilities.

The new law seeks to clarify procedures governing county assembly service boards and clerks, while providing safeguards for staff whose services are deployed through secondment arrangements.

Focus on Strengthening Devolution

The signing of the two laws comes as county governments continue to implement programmes aimed at improving healthcare, agriculture, water provision and other essential services.

Since the introduction of devolution under the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, county administrations have been responsible for delivering several services directly affecting citizens, making adequate funding and effective institutional management central to their performance.

The increase in additional allocations is intended to provide further support for county-level development programmes, including initiatives addressing climate change, drought and access to water and sanitation.

The impact of the additional funding will depend on how county governments prioritise expenditure, implement projects and account for the resources allocated to them.

Through the two pieces of legislation, the government is seeking to strengthen both the financial capacity of devolved units and the administrative structures of county assemblies.

Ruto said the overall objective was to improve service delivery, strengthen devolution and ensure county governments have the resources necessary to meet their responsibilities and improve the lives of Kenyans.