Kenya: CoG Wants Recurrent Expenditure Ceilings Raised Ahead of 2022 Polls

Nairobi — The Council of Governors (CoG) has protested a move by the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) to cap recurrent expenditure for the 2022/23 Financial Year at Sh62 billion, slightly below the ceiling set in the preceding year.

In a statement issued on Monday, the council called for a review to factor in the induction into office of newly elected leaders after the 2022 General Election, including Members of County Assemblies.

“We note that the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) made a presentation on the draft recurrent expenditure Budget Ceilings for the Financial Year 2022/23 during a stakeholder engagement workshop held on 7th December, 2021. CRA has set the recurrent expenditure budget ceilings for the FY 2022/23 at Sh61,965,331,620, which is a reduction from FY 2021/22 recurrent expenditure budget ceilings amounting to Sh62,364, 247, 754,” CoG Chairman Martin Wambora said .

Wambora further noted that the County Assemblies draft Budget Ceilings for the FY 2022/23 did not provide for induction costs of the new leadership that will take over after the 2022 general elections.

“This is so despite the fact that induction is a key component for on boarding of the new County leadership to ensure that there is a seamless transition,” he added.

The CoG Chairperson also said the ceiling remained unchanged for the past four financial years.

“The Commission (CRA) has been making blanket ceilings without taking into consideration uniqueness of each County Government,” Wambora stated.

He noted that some counties occupy a larger land mass than others pointing out that the cost incurred in the conduct of public participation and sensitization may differ from other devolved units.

“In this regard, we urge CRA to revise the Budget Ceilings to accommodate the cost of induction and public participation with consideration of the uniqueness of every County,” Wambora said.