Lamu County Government through Governor Timamy has petitioned the Commission for Revenue Allocation (CRA) to increase its revenue allocation current share from the current Sh. 3 billion.
The Governor said the share they were currently receiving was not sustainable as the county was vast, making it expensive to implement projects.
He spoke during the conclusion of a three-day County Budget Economic Forum (CBEF) induction.
CRA Commissioner Hadija Juma, John Githiaka from USAID Kenya, Officials from the CRA, County Executive Members, and members from the CBEF were present.
“Lamu is an archipelago comprising 65 Islands and a very expansive Mainland and it is really a challenge for us when it comes to implementing projects,” Timamy said.
The governor said a project that might cost Sh. 0.5 million in a place like Mombasa or Kilifi might end up costing over Sh. 3 million in Lamu simply because of the logistics.
He appealed to the CRA to take into account the challenges Lamu has and consider increasing their allocation.
“We hope they will look into these other issues; I have already presented a memorandum on behalf of Lamu to the CRA for them to consider where we have set up all the issues and justification for an increase in the revenues that Lamu receives,” he said.
He said the bulk of the Sh. 3 billion they receive goes to salaries, wages, operations, and maintenance, with little left for development.
Juma admitted that Lamu was a unique county and revealed that CRA was coming up with a formula for revenue allocation which will see the county get an increase in the share.
