Kisumu County Rejects COB Claims of Zero Development Spending
County Finance CEC George Okongo explained that a significant sum was redirected to the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) after it was taken over by the national government, which required additional funds for operations
By : Mweru Mbugua
Kisumu County Government has dismissed a recent report by the Office of the Controller of Budget (COB) alleging that the county did not spend any funds on development projects during the first quarter of the 2025/2026 financial year
County Finance CEC George Okongo explained that a significant sum was redirected to the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) after it was taken over by the national government, which required additional funds for operations
In her report, COB Margaret Nyakang’o listed Kisumu among 19 counties that recorded no development expenditure between July and September 2025
She cited the county’s low local revenue performance and highlighted substantial outstanding bank borrowings at the start of the financial year
Okongo clarified that the national government requested Ksh.128 million, originally earmarked for development projects, to ensure timely salary payments for JOOTRH staff while the National Treasury finalized fund transfers to the hospital
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He emphasized that the funds were extended as a refundable credit, and no money was lost or misused
He further stated that JOOTRH has now received its allocation from the National Treasury and is processing the refund to Kisumu County
Once received, the refunded amount will be fully reallocated to development projects
