Nairobi City County has entered the 2026/27 financial year without an approved budget, after the County Assembly did not pass the budget estimates ahead of the June 30 deadline.
The delay, according to people familiar with the talks, is tied to ongoing discussions in the Assembly. There are reports of disagreements among some MCAs over the budget process, with a word in the streets that a section of the members are asking for Ksh.10 million.Sources also suggest the timing is being weighed against political priorities as the 2027 General Election approaches and current terms near their end.
What does this mean for the county? With no approved spending plan yet, there’s concern about potential slowdowns to development projects, contractor payments, and some county programmes. The Assembly itself is also funded through the county budget, which makes reaching an agreement a shared priority for both the Executive and the Assembly.
County officials note that the government can continue to operate under constitutional provisions that allow for limited expenditure while the budget process is concluded. This is meant to keep essential services running and minimize disruption as discussions continue.
The hope from many stakeholders is for a swift resolution — one that protects service delivery, supports development, and restores certainty for residents, contractors, and county staff as the new financial year gets underway.
