Background Notes

The objective of the County Fact Sheets is to provide critical budgetary, financial, and economic information in a clear, concise, and accessible format to strengthen the oversight role of the Senate, inform policy formulation, and promote accountability in county governance.

This first edition draws on data from authoritative sources, including the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), Office of the Controller of Budget, Office of the Auditor-General, Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA), and County Integrated Development Plans, among others.

The Fact Sheets are structured into three key sections:

1. County General Profile: Presents demographic data, geographical features, dominant economic activities, poverty levels, and other socio-economic indicators.
2. County Budget and Economic Profile: Analyzes Gross County Product (GCP), equitable share allocations, additional allocations from the national government and development partners, own-source revenue (OSR), and access to the Equalization Fund.
3. County Fiscal Risk Profile: Assesses development and recurrent expenditure trends, wage bill compliance, pending bills (including pension liabilities), and audit opinions for both county executives and assemblies.

The County Fact Sheets 2024 represent an important innovation in oversight and public accountability by offering a concise fiscal and economic profile for each county. In addition to supporting parliamentary processes, the publication is also intended as a valuable resource for development partners, civil society organizations, and the public, enhancing transparency and promoting the responsible management of public resources.

Recognizing the dynamic nature of county fiscal and economic performance, the Parliamentary Budget Office intends to update and publish the County Fact Sheets on annual basis to ensure continuous, timely, and relevant support for oversight and policymaking.

It is our hope that this inaugural edition will contribute meaningfully to the strengthening of devolution and the entrenchment of sound financial management practices across Kenya’s counties.