The Council of Governors led by Anne Waiguru who is also Kirinyaga Governor, has issued a notice to the National Treasury to immediately disburse the county funds, saying the delay is immensely derailing counties’ plans.
Governor Waiguru said that the November allocation totalling KSh 17.48 billion has not been disbursed to 24 counties.
These are Siaya, Bomet, Busia, Bungoma, Embu, Garissa, Kiambu, Kisii, Kilifi West Pokot, Wanjir, Vihiga, Turkana, Trans Nzoia, Tana River, Nyeri, Taita Taveta, Kwale, Samburi, Machakos, Makueni, Lamu and Kitui.
How much do governors want from Ruto’s government?
The government owes all counties about KSh 30.83 billion and 32.76 billion for December 2023 and January 2024 allocations, respectively.
“We note with concern the delayed disbursement of an equitable share of revenue considering we are three months on average in arrears. As of January 19, 2024, the National Treasury is yet to disburse KSh 81.08 billion to counties as per the disbursement schedule approved by the Senate,” said Waiguru.
The Council of Governors today held a special council meeting to deliberate on time sensitive decisions. Given the effort, investment and progress the county governments have made in specialized health services and education.
• We have agreed on an MES strategic road map where… pic.twitter.com/h6w0mVxKLQ
— Anne Waiguru EGH, OGW (@AnneWaiguru) January 19, 2024
Section(17) 6 of the Public Finance Management Act 2012, states that the National Treasury should do the disbursement of county funds at the beginning of every month or not later than the 15th just in case of any event.
Ruto’s promise
President Ruto vowed to end the delayment of the disbursement of funds to counties, during his inauguration back in 2022, governors are still saying that the late disbursement is massively messing up with county plans.
The governors stated that unexpected situations like ongoing floods caused by El Nino rains, are very difficult to deal with because counties are lacking funds.
“In this regard, we call upon the National Treasury to immediately release the KSh 81.08 billion owed to county governments without any further delay, ” Waiguru stated.
As the county government bosses fight with the national government over an equitable share of revenue in the coming financial year, counties are supposed to receive KSh 32.761billion for February 2024, KSh 30.833 billion, KSh 34.68 billion, KSh 32.76 billion and KSh 30.83 billion for March, April, May and June, respectively.
The governors had already hinted that most operations would be soon paralyzed in case the national government takes much time to disburse the money since there are counties already wrestling with the payment of staff salaries.
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