The Council of Governors has written to the president demanding the immediate release of county government funds for the month of June.
During his address on the state of devolution in the country on Friday, the council’s chairman, Martin Wambora, stated that delays in the disbursement of funds have hampered the efficient functioning of county governments, thereby impeding the delivery of services to the wananchi.
The county bosses have demanded the release of the funds in a letter signed by the council’s chair, claiming that the situation has crippled county functions, suppliers have not been paid, and outgoing governors will be forced to leave behind debts.
“Your excellency the president of the republic of Kenya, we are concerned in the manner in which the funds to the county are managed and the status of disbursement of funds to counties noting that the financial year came to an end last week,” he stated.
The chair went on to say that what they are asking for is a constitutional right, and that the national government should follow the law.
“A county’s share of revenue raised by the national government shall be transferred to the county without undue delay and without deduction, except when the transfer has been stopped under Article 225,” states Article 219 of the 2010 Constitution on the transfer of equitable share.
The council stated that they had no choice but to take this route after discussions with the Ministry of Finance yielded no results, prompting them to use a different method.
“Your excellency, the delays have jeopardized the operations and service delivery in the counties. Currently, all county governments are in arrears of pending bills and we are unable to pay county staff their salary, pay suppliers or offer essential services. Your excellency, we seek your intervention on this matter. We implore you to direct the national treasury to disburse the remaining funds to counties,” he stated.
Speaking on behalf of the outgoing governors, Machakos governor Alfred Mutua demanded answers as to why the funds had not yet been released as planned.
“The challenge that we are facing, of not getting money coming to counties, is a serious issue. We are asking the government, where has the money gone? Is the country broke? Because it was budgeted for, so if the money has disappeared somewhere, Kenyans would like to know where the money has gone to,” he stated.
Mutua also warned the government not to play with the funds that belong to the citizens, stating that it is their right to receive the funds and that they should not beg for them.
“Unless this money gets to the ground, people will continue suffering. The prices of fuel are up, the prices of food are up. People in the village are being strangled by poverty. So if this is a caring government, then we need our money on the ground. It is not a favour, it is our right. We are not going to ask for it politely as we are asking, we are going to demand for it because this is our right,” he added.
Get Published Today
Email: uzalendonews24@gmail.com to submit your story.
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR YOUTUBE CHANNEL
