Socio-Economic Status of Baringo County with COVID-19

Abstract

The county total revenue has significantly grown over the years as the Government focus on enhanced services and amenities for the citizens. Total revenue has significantly increased from Ksh 3.97 billion in 2013/14 to Ksh 8.69 billion in 2018/19 before a slight decline to Ksh 7.03 billion in 2019/20, an average annual growth rate of 12.8 per cent. Analysis of the sources of the county revenues shows that equitable shares contributed the largest share of the total revenues, averaging 60 per cent over the same period. This accentuates the commitment of the National Government to support county operations. Actual expenditure in the county doubled, rising from Ksh 2,810.7 million in 2013/14 to Ksh 6,324.2 million in 2019/20 before slowing to Ksh 4,596.0 million in 2019/20, an average growth rate of 9.1 per cent. To support effectiveness of spending at the County, the following should be considered: ensuring that the on-going projects are completed before launching new projects and clearing any pending bills and arrears owed to suppliers; improve budget execution and absorption of development budget by harmonizing project implementation cycles to budgeting and fast-track exchequer releases; reduce expenditure on compensation of employees within the PFM requirement and monitoring and prompt payment of pending bills as they limit execution of planned activities in subsequent budgets.