Nairobi City County has entered the 2026/2027 financial year without an approved budget after the County Assembly failed to pass the estimates before the June 30 deadline. The budget impasse comes amid claims by a source familiar with the negotiations that a section of Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) are demanding Sh10 million each before approving the 2026/27 budget.

This is now deepening uncertainty over the implementation of development projects and county operations. The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity , alleged that the budget process had become a bargaining chip as many MCAs prepare for what could be their final term ahead of the 2027 General Election.

According to the source, the prolonged stalemate could also hurt the Assembly itself, as the county budget provides funding for both the Executive and the County Assembly. The source questioned the rationale behind delaying the approval of a budget that also finances the Assembly’s own operations.

With the new financial year now underway, concerns are mounting over delays in the implementation of county programmes, payment of contractors, and the rollout of development projects.

The County Government is currently expected to rely on the constitutional and statutory provisions governing expenditure before the full budget is approved.