Mbiuni MCA Peter Kilonzo speaking in the Assembly. Kilonzo moved the Motion to Impeach Finance ECM Catherine Mutanu Raphael. 
By Andrew Mbuva.
Machakos County is staring at a looming governance and budget crisis after the County Assembly suspended its sittings over a prolonged funding dispute, throwing into uncertainty the approval of the county's 2026/2027 budget and the continued delivery of public services.
The Assembly adjourned until July 8 after Members of County Assembly (MCAs) complained that operational funds for April, May and June have not been released despite exchequer disbursements from the National Treasury. The standoff now threatens not only the operations of the Assembly but also the broader functioning of the county government, whose budget cannot be approved without legislative action.
The crisis deepened after MCAs initiated impeachment proceedings against County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Finance, Economic Planning, Revenue Management and ICT, Catherine Mutanu Raphael, accusing her of gross misconduct, abuse of office, incompetence and violations of public finance laws.
Moving a motion to adjourn the House, Majority Leader Nicholas Nzioka said the Assembly could no longer effectively discharge its constitutional responsibilities due to lack of operational funding.
Seconding the motion, Minority Leader Francis Kavyu described the situation as a financial paralysis that had crippled the Assembly's oversight, legislative and representative roles.
"We have been through a financial paralysis. Most of the internal operations that are supposed to facilitate oversight and representation have become nearly impossible," Kavyu said, adding that the Assembly had run out of basic necessities, including water and toiletries, while suppliers remained unpaid.
Mua Ward MCA Francis Ngunga accused the county executive of withholding the Assembly's funds despite allocations having already been released by the exchequer. He warned that unless the impasse is resolved, the Assembly may fail to convene on July 8 to consider the county's 2026/2027 budget estimates.
Failure to approve the budget before the start of the new financial year could significantly disrupt county operations, delaying development projects, procurement processes and service delivery across departments.
"This is impunity at the highest order. Devolution is being stifled from within," Ngunga said, urging Governor Wavinya Ndeti to intervene and unlock the funds.
Nominated MCA Margaret Ndalana said the funding delays had also taken a personal toll on members, many of whom have gone for months without receiving their dues.
"We are not even able to pay school fees for our children because of lack of funds. The President has released our money, but you have not paid us," she said.
Speaker Ann Kiusya told the House that the Assembly had formally petitioned the Senate Committee on Devolution, the National Treasury and the Controller of Budget to intervene. She said letters had also been copied to Governor Ndeti, explaining that allocations for April, May and June remain held in the county treasury.
Shortly before adjourning, the Assembly overwhelmingly approved a motion seeking the removal of Finance CECM Catherine Mutanu Raphael.
The motion, sponsored by Mbiuni Ward MCA Peter Kilonzo, accuses the Finance executive of failing to comply with fiscal responsibility laws by allowing the county wage bill to exceed the legal threshold, implementing the land valuation roll without a valid County Finance Act, failing to release funds to the Assembly despite exchequer disbursements, failing to manage pending bills estimated at KSh 5.5 billion, granting revenue waivers without the Assembly's approval, and repeatedly failing to honour Assembly summons without reasonable cause.
MCAs also cited concerns raised by the Controller of Budget and the Auditor-General over the county's financial management. According to the members, employee compensation has risen to nearly 60 percent of county revenues, well above the statutory ceiling of 35 percent, while pending bills continue to accumulate without a clear settlement plan, exposing the county to litigation, interest penalties and interruptions in public services.
Speaker Kiusya directed that an ad hoc committee be established to investigate the allegations and give the Finance CECM an opportunity to respond before the House.
The committee is expected to table its report when the Assembly reconvenes on July 8. Should the committee uphold the allegations, the Assembly will debate whether to recommend to Governor Wavinya Ndeti that Catherine Mutanu Raphael be removed from office under Section 40 of the County Governments Act.
With the county budget hanging in the balance and the relationship between the executive and the Assembly deteriorating, the July 8 sitting is now expected to determine not only the political fate of the Finance CECM but also the direction of Machakos County's finances and governance in the new financial year.
