MAKUENI LEADS KENYA IN BUDGET TRANSPARENCY, BAGS FIVE NATIONAL AWARDS
Makueni County has been ranked the best-performing county in Kenya in the County Budget Transparency Survey (CBTS) 2025, scoring an impressive 89 out of 100 points, the highest among all 47 counties.
The county also emerged as the biggest winner during the survey’s launch in Nairobi, taking home five prestigious awards, more than any other county.
Deputy Governor Lucy Mulili represented Makueni at the event, which was organized by Bajeti Hub under the leadership of Executive Director Dr. Abraham Rugo Muriu.
The awards recognized Makueni as the most transparent county overall, the best-performing county in the timely publication of budget documents, and the county with the most comprehensive Quarterly Budget Implementation Report, County Fiscal Strategy Paper, and Finance Act.
The achievement underscores the county’s strong performance across all stages of the budget cycle.The latest recognition marks five consecutive years of sustained improvement in budget transparency.
Makueni’s score has steadily risen from 55 points in 2021 to 89 points in 2025, recording progress in every round of the survey during the five-year period.
Speaking on behalf of Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr., Mulili attributed the achievement to visionary leadership, robust public participation, and the county’s unwavering commitment to grassroots development.
She noted that 70 per cent of the county’s development budget is allocated to projects at the community level, with each project overseen by a Project Management Committee (PMC) to enhance accountability and eliminate the possibility of ghost projects.
County delegations attending the event congratulated Makueni on the achievement, with many describing the county as a benchmark for transparency and accountability in Kenya’s devolved system of governance.
Makueni’s performance reflects Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr.’s vision that openness and transparency in public finance management are essential pillars for effective service delivery and sustainable development.
The award ceremony was attended by Finance CECM Damaris Kavoi and Acting Chief Officer for Planning Geoffrey Ngovi Muthoka, among other county officials and stakeholders.
