President William Ruto has signed two Senate-sponsored bills into law, paving the way for increased funding to county governments and changes to the administration of county assemblies.
William Ruto assented to the County Governments Additional Allocations Bill, 2026, and the County Assembly Services (Amendment) Bill, 2023, during a ceremony held at Eldoret State Lodge in Uasin Gishu County on Monday, October 19, 2026. The bills were presented for presidential assent by Senate Clerk Jeremiah Nyegenye.
The signing is expected to influence how counties finance essential services and how county assembly staff and administrative officials are managed that the two laws address separate but important aspects of devolution: the distribution of resources and the governance of county assemblies.
Counties to receive additional Sh 71 billion
One of the key developments is the increase in additional allocations to county governments from approximately Sh 70.67 billion in the 2025/2026 financial year to Sh 71.09 billion in the 2026/2027 financial year.
The increase amounts to approximately Sh 425.6 million, bringing the total additional allocations to Sh 71,091,926,967.
The funding is intended to support county programmes and services, with resources drawn from the national government’s share of revenue, statutory entitlements, loans and grants from development partners.
Under the legislation, the allocations will support priority areas including healthcare, agriculture, climate change resilience, drought response, water provision and sanitation.
These are services that directly affect millions of Kenyans, particularly residents who rely on county hospitals, local agricultural programmes, water infrastructure and sanitation services.
The additional funding is therefore expected to provide counties with more resources to implement development programmes and address challenges affecting their respective regions.
However, the impact of the increased allocation will depend on how individual county governments budget for the money, prioritise projects and ensure that the funds are used for their intended purposes.
What the new funding means for ordinary Kenyans
County governments are responsible for delivering a wide range of essential services, including county health facilities, local water services, agricultural support and sanitation.
Additional resources could help counties strengthen these services, particularly in areas facing persistent challenges such as drought, inadequate water infrastructure and pressure on public healthcare facilities.
For farmers, funding directed towards agricultural programmes and climate resilience could support efforts to improve production and respond to changing weather conditions.
In drought-prone areas, resources dedicated to drought response could also help county administrations address the effects of prolonged dry spells.
In the health sector, county governments will continue to play a crucial role in maintaining local facilities and supporting healthcare delivery.
Nevertheless, the additional allocation does not automatically guarantee improved services.
County administrations will still need to demonstrate prudent spending, proper project implementation and accountability to residents.
The legislation comes as devolution remains a central feature of Kenya’s governance system, with county governments expected to address local development needs while working within the resources allocated to them.
Ruto’s administration reiterates commitment to devolution
President William Ruto has maintained that his administration intends to strengthen devolution, improve service delivery and ensure that county governments have sufficient resources to fulfil their responsibilities.
The additional allocations legislation supports this objective by providing a framework for transferring extra resources to counties during the 2026/2027 financial year.
The increased funding also places renewed attention on the relationship between the national and county governments, particularly regarding the financing of devolved functions.
For residents, the key question will be whether the additional resources translate into tangible improvements, including better-equipped health facilities, improved access to water, stronger agricultural programmes and more effective sanitation services.
The use of public funds is likely to remain an important issue as counties implement their budgets and account for expenditure.
Second law introduces changes to county assembly administration
The second law signed by the President, the County Assembly Services (Amendment) Bill, 2023, focuses on governance and administration within county assemblies.
The legislation establishes procedures for the removal of members of County Assembly Service Boards and for the suspension and removal of county assembly clerks.
It also provides safeguards for the rights and benefits of staff serving on secondment, while strengthening provisions relating to fair administrative action.
County assemblies are important institutions within Kenya’s devolved system.
They are responsible for passing county legislation, representing residents and exercising oversight over county executives.
Their administrative structures support these functions by managing staff, coordinating operations and ensuring that assemblies can conduct their work effectively.
The new legal framework is intended to provide clearer procedures for handling leadership and administrative matters, reducing uncertainty around the removal or suspension of key officials.
By setting out procedures for dealing with service board members and county assembly clerks, the law seeks to establish a more structured approach to administrative decisions.
The protections for seconded employees are also significant because they address the rights and benefits of staff serving in county assembly institutions under secondment arrangements.
Why the two laws matter
Although the two laws address different issues, they both concern the functioning of devolution.
The County Governments Additional Allocations Act focuses on resources, determining the framework through which counties receive additional funding for programmes and services.
The County Assembly Services amendment, meanwhile, addresses the administrative structures that support county assemblies and the people who work within them.
Together, the measures are intended to support county governments by addressing both their financial needs and aspects of institutional administration.
The signing ceremony at Eldoret State Lodge marks another step in the legislative process, following the passage of the bills through Parliament and their presentation to President William Ruto for assent.
The ultimate test will be how effectively the new laws are implemented.
For county residents, the increased allocation could provide opportunities for improved public services, while the administrative changes may influence how county assemblies handle their internal affairs.
As the 2026/2027 financial year progresses, attention will turn to how counties utilise the additional resources and whether the changes deliver meaningful improvements in governance and service delivery.
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