Governor Ayacko Attributes Salary Delays in 21 Counties to Budget Approval Bottlenecks

Migori Governor Ochillo Ayacko has identified bureaucratic delays in the approval and uploading of county budgets as the primary cause behind the salary payment delays affecting workers in 21 counties.

Speaking on Citizen TV on August 25, 2026, Ayacko explained that although some counties have received their July and August allocations, they cannot access the funds because their budgets have not been approved for upload into the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS).

"We have received money for July and August, but these funds remain idle in our Central Bank accounts," Ayacko said, highlighting Migori County’s experience where budget approval by the Office of the Controller of Budget took about three weeks.

Process and Challenges

• Counties must have their budgets cleared by the Controller of Budget before uploading to IFMIS and accessing funds.
• The Controller of Budget’s office, led by Margaret Nyakang'o, is not bound by statutory deadlines to complete budget approvals within a specific timeframe.
• Delays in responding to queries from the Controller’s office further prolong the approval process.

Ayacko called for legislative reforms to impose strict timelines on the Controller of Budget to ensure timely budget clearance, warning that continued delays could severely disrupt county operations.

Internal County Issues Also Cited

The governor also pointed out that some counties have not passed their budgets due to conflicts between county executives and assemblies, urging both parties to pursue dialogue and consensus to avoid service disruptions.

Counties Affected by Salary Delays

• Nairobi
• Bomet
• Baringo
• Bungoma
• Homa Bay
• Isiolo
• Kitui
• Kisii
• Kericho
• Kwale
• Laikipia
• Lamu
• Meru
• Nakuru
• Siaya
• Tharaka Nithi
• Taita Taveta
• Tana River
• Turkana
• Trans Nzoia
• Vihiga