Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o has raised serious concerns over 16 counties that have yet to submit their 2025-26 budgets, with only 15 days left before the close of the first quarter.

The delays put these counties at risk of missing out on funds recently released by the National Treasury.

Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi announced last week that more than Sh30 billion had been allocated to counties for July, saying, “Next week, on Monday or Tuesday, I will be releasing money to the counties for July.”

But Nyakang’o warned that counties without approved budgets cannot request money for specific budget lines, effectively locking them out of the funds.

The 16 counties still pending budget submission are Garissa, Wajir, Mandera, Marsabit, Meru, Embu, Nyandarua, Turkana, Trans Nzoia, Uasin Gishu, Kajiado, Kericho, Bungoma, Busia, Siaya and Kisumu.

Another 20 counties including Nyamira, Kakamega, Bomet, Narok, Nakuru, Laikipia, Baringo, Nandi, Elgeyo Marakwet, Samburu, Murang’a, Nyeri, Machakos, Tharaka Nithi, Taita Taveta, Lamu, Tana River, Kilifi, Kwale and Mombasa, have submitted budgets but are still under review due to compliance concerns.

Only 10 counties Nairobi, Kisii, Migori, Homa Bay, Vihiga, West Pokot, Kiambu, Kirinyaga, Makueni and Kitui, have had their budgets approved and are able to access funds.

Nyakang’o said the situation exposes a recurring excuse among county leaders blaming the Treasury for delayed disbursements.

She explained that counties are legally required to submit approved budgets to the CoB by June 30 each year to enable fund requisitions.

“They should submit immediately after June 30. They are already breaking the law if the assembly does not pass the budget by that date,” Nyakang’o told the Star. She added that her office received the national government’s signed budget immediately after June 30.

According to sources, the delays are caused by disputes between county executives and assemblies, slow submission of budgets, and sluggish processing by assemblies. In some counties, political fights have stalled operations, including the approval of financial plans.

Nyakang’o described these relationships as “dysfunctional” and “convoluted,” with political rivalry often taking priority over service delivery.

“In some cases, assemblies engage in what can only be described as political blackmail, deliberately delaying, rewriting, or rejecting proposals to extract concessions from governors, assert power, or settle scores,” she said.