Counties across Kenya have allocated a substantial portion of their budgets to Members of County Assemblies (MCAs), spending a total of Sh1.59 billion on sitting allowances in the fiscal year 2023/24.

This figure represents a significant increase from the Sh1.34 billion spent in the previous year, according to data released by the Office of the Controller of Budget.

However, despite the rising expenditure on MCA allowances, counties were unable to fully utilize their allocated funds, spending only 85 per cent of the Sh1.85 billion set aside for this purpose.

This shortfall can be attributed to austerity measures implemented by President William Ruto in June of this year, following widespread protests against the 2024 Finance Bill.

The Controller of Budget's report highlights the financial challenges faced by county assemblies in managing their allocations.

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While MCA sitting allowances have increased, other key areas of expenditure have also put a strain on county budgets.

Excessive spending on personnel emoluments and travel costs, coupled with delays in revenue disbursement from the National Treasury and underperformance in own-source revenue collection, have hindered the implementation of development programs.

"The key challenges that adversely affected budget implementation in FY 2023/24 were the National Treasury's non-disbursement of the June 2024 equitable share of revenue, the underperformance of own-source revenue collection, low expenditure on development programs, a high level of pending bills, high expenditure on personnel emoluments, a delay in submission of financial and non-financial reports to the CoB, the use of commercial bank accounts, and excessive expenditure on travel costs," stated the report.

President Ruto's announcement of budget cuts for high-level state offices, including devolved units, has further exacerbated the financial pressures faced by counties.

As the country navigates economic challenges, the allocation of resources to MCAs and other government officials remains a subject of ongoing debate and scrutiny.