Governors on the Spot as CRA Flags Data Gaps in County Budget Submissions

The Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Budget met with the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) in a critical meeting regarding the proposed Recurrent Expenditure Budget Ceilings for County Governments for the financial year 2026/2027 and beyond.

The members of the committee on November 11, stressed the need to take the early development process in order to have counties gain access to well-informed and inclusive budgetary results.

CRA Flags Data Gaps in Counties

CRA Chairperson, Mary Wanyonyi Chebukati, led the Commission’s team and decried the persistent delay and failure by the counties to present the required financial information to the Commission.

She said the problem “severely constrains the Commission’s ability to engage proper analysis and establish fair resource sharing models.”

Senators Call for Legal Framework on Data Submission

The debates were expanded to possible legislative changes.

Senators and Commissioners both discussed the possible amendments to be done on Regulation 25 of the Public Finance Management (PFM) Act or related laws, citing ineffectiveness in the existing framework.

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The Vice Chairperson of the committee, Senator Tabitha Mutinda, said, “There is a need for a unified, possibly legal, way to mandate data provision from counties.

This will ensure accountability and improve the quality better quality of budgetary decisions.”

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She also encouraged CRA to take the initiative of requesting meetings with the Finance Committee to present drafts and discuss the proposed changes in PFM.

The session concluded with a joint commitment to continued cooperation, vital for supporting efficient county government service delivery.

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Committee Vice Chairperson, Senator Tabitha Mutinda. PHOTO/Parliament of Kenya