Kitui County Governor Dr. Julius Malombe has withheld his signature on the 2024/2025 supplementary budget, following a standoff with the County Assembly over funding allocations Channel 15 Scoop can exclusively report tonight.
Governor Malombe is now considering returning the budget to the Assembly with a memorandum outlining his objections, according to sources close to the administration.
The dispute centers around funding for a new County Assembly office project. While the Assembly had requested full funding to complete the project within the fiscal year, Governor Malombe has proposed allocating only Ksh 90 million for 2024/2025, suggesting additional funding be spread across future budgets. This difference has sparked a conflict between the County’s Executive and the Legislative branch.
A source who spoke exclusively to Channel 15 News revealed that the County Assembly supported the supplementary budget on the condition that the office project would receive full funding this year. The executive branch’s decision to limit the allocation has strained what was initially an informal agreement, leaving both sides at an impasse.
By returning the budget with a memorandum, Governor Malombe can formally propose adjustments to the County Assembly, who may accept his recommendations, revise the budget to address the issues, or override the Governor’s objections with a two-thirds majority vote.
The outcome of this dispute could have lasting implications for the relationship between Kitui’s Executive and County Assembly, as both branches work to balance competing priorities and financial constraints. All eyes are now on the Assembly’s next steps, which will likely shape the county’s governance dynamics in the months ahead.
