CRA Presents Follow-Up Report on Senate Recommendations on County Assemblies
The Commission today submitted a follow-up report to the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Budget in response to the Senate’s directives issued in May 2023. The Senate had tasked CRA with reviewing key aspects of County Assemblies’ operations to promote efficiency, accountability and prudent use of public resources.
The review focused on three main areas:
- Staffing levels: Assessing whether County Assemblies employ within the approved limits.
- Number and structure of committees: Determining if committee formations are efficient and cost-effective.
- Public participation costs: Developing a fair model for how counties should budget to involve citizens in governance.
Key Findings
1. Staffing Levels
The review by CRA revealed that a significant number of County Assemblies did not submit their staffing data despite repeated reminders. Among those that did, only nine counties were fully within the CRA-approved staff limits.
Several counties were found to have employed more staff than allowed, with some exceeding even their own approved structures. In some instances, counties recruited more senior staff than necessary, inflating salary costs without corresponding gains in service delivery.
CRA also noted disparities where smaller assemblies employed more staff than larger ones. For instance, Narok County Assembly, with 49 MCAs, had 442 staff members, compared to Nairobi County Assembly, which has 124 MCAs but only 194 staff.
The current staffing ceilings remain sufficient, except for Kitui County, which may require a slight adjustment. CRA recommends that County Assemblies focus on rationalizing their staffing by aligning recruitment with actual needs and ensuring balanced employment across senior, middle and lower levels.
2. County Assembly Committees
The Commission noted that just like with staffing data, many County Assemblies failed to submit full information on their committees. CRA’s analysis showed wide variations in the number of committees, ranging from 9 to 27, with no standardized structure across counties.
Some assemblies have established overlapping or internal committees (such as catering, welfare, or loan committees) that duplicate functions or increase administrative costs. There were also inconsistencies in committee naming and alignment with county departments.
CRA proposes a maximum of 18 committees per County Assembly.
Assemblies may have fewer, depending on their size and functions. In addition, committees should be aligned to the county executive departments they oversee to strengthen accountability and reduce duplication.
3. Public Participation Model
In line with the Senate’s directive, CRA developed a standardized model to help counties budget fairly and efficiently for public participation. The model factors in:
- County size (land area)
- Number of wards
- Population and accessibility
- Costs related to transport, security, venues, and allowances
The model assumes that each county will hold six (6) public participation forums per year, focusing on key planning and budget documents such as the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP), County Fiscal Strategy Paper (CFSP), Annual Development Plan (ADP), Budget Estimates and the Finance Act.
CRA recommends that the Senate adopt this model for use in developing county ceilings, ensuring that public participation is affordable, inclusive and well-coordinated across all counties.
Overall Recommendations
In its final submission, CRA recommended that the Senate:
- Retain current staffing caps, except for Kitui County, and consider sanctions for assemblies that exceed the approved limits.
- Cap the number of committees at 18, merging overlapping ones to enhance efficiency.
- Approve the new Public Participation Model for both County Assemblies and County Executives beginning in FY 2024/25.
Strengthening Collaboration
During the session, the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Budget encouraged the Commission to proactively collaborate with the Committee to enhance follow-up with county governments. This cooperation will help ensure that counties provide timely and accurate data whenever requested.
The meeting concluded with a joint commitment to continued collaboration, a partnership viewed as vital for supporting efficient county government service delivery and promoting accountability in the use of public resources.
