Top 20 loss-making State agencies in Kenya

Nearly half of State Agencies in Kenya made losses in the first year of President William Ruto’s administration, a report by the National Treasury has revealed.

Data published by the Treasury revealed that 239 out of 510 entities created to undertake key strategic functions booked deficits in the financial year that ended June 2023, reports the Business Daily newspaper.

Poor management of these agencies has been blamed for dismal performance that has led to massive pilferage of public funds through corruption and other forms of theft.

Top 20 loss-making State Agencies in Kenya

The following were the top 20 loss-making state agencies in the financial year that ended June 2023

1. Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) recorded a loss of KSh 33.5 billion.
2. Roads Annuity Fund made a loss of KSh 12.8 billion
3. Kenyatta National Hospital made a loss of KSh 3.5 billion
4. Kenya Power and Lightening Company (KPLC) posted a loss of KSh 3.41
5. Kenya Medical Supply Authority (KEMSA) posted a loss of KSh 3.13
6. Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) Levy Fund posted a loss of KSh 3.09 billion
7. Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) which recorded a loss of KSh 2.48 billion
8. East Africa Portland Cement Company (EAPCC) which posted a loss of KSh 2.37 billion
9. Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) recorded a loss of KSh 2.33 billion
10. National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) made a loss of KSh 2.3 billion
11. Road Maintenance Levy Fund posted a loss of KSh 2.12 billion
12. Kenyatta University made a loss of KSh 2.01 billion.
13. National Irrigation Authority made a loss of KSh 1.88 billion
14. National Cereals and Produce Board made a loss of KSh 1.76 billion
15. Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) made a loss of KSh 1.62 billion
16. New Kenya Cooperative Creameries (KCC) made a loss of KSh 1.39 billion
17. Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), University of Nairobi (UoN) made a loss of Ksh 1.39 billion
18. Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) made a loss of Ksh 1.12 billion
19. Tanathi Waterworks Development Agency made a loss of Ksh 1.09 billion
20. The University of Nairobi made a loss of KSh 1.05 billion

For instance, the Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) recorded a loss of KSh 33.5 billion topping the list of loss-making State Agencies.

The Roads Annuity Fund meant for the development and maintenance of roads made a loss of KSh 12.8 billion.

Kenyatta National Hospital, which has been making losses in the last ten years was ranked third after posting a KSh 3.5 billion loss.

Kenya Power and Lightening Company (KPLC) and Kenya Medical Supply Authority (KEMSA) were ranked position for and five recording KSh 3.41 and KSh 3.13 billion loss respectively.

Others that posted losses include Kenya National Highway Authority (KeNHA) Levy Fund (KSh3.09 billion), Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) which recorded a Ksh 2.48 billion loss, and East Africa Portland Cement Company (EAPCC) which posted 2.37 billion in losses.

KeNHA recorded a KSh 2.33 billion loss, National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) KSh 2.3 billion, Kenyatta University Ksh 2.01 billion, and National Irrigation Authority KSh 1.88 billion.

National Cereals and Produce Board (KSh 1.76 billion), Higher Education Loans Board (HELB), Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), University of Nairobi (UoN), and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) were also among the top 20 loss making State Agencies.

The continued poor performance of parastatals and other State-owned enterprises comes amid increased talks of privatization to help the State rid itself of loss-making entities.

President William Ruto last year said his government was ready to privatize at least 35 State Agencies “trapped in government bureaucracy’’ in a bid to boost productivity following a change to laws.