Kenyan governors are up in arms over delayed county funds from the National Treasury. The delay has now stretched to three months.
Governors brush with Treausury over 3 months funding delays: Photo courtesy
Council of Governors Chairman led fellow governors in protesting the delays on November 20, 2024. They gathered at the Council’s headquarters in Nairobi.
The Treasury owes counties more than Ksh 100 billion in disbursements. This amount represents allocations for September, October, and November 2024.
County operations have ground to a halt due to the funding crisis. Essential services like healthcare and waste management face severe disruptions.
“Our counties cannot function without these funds,” said Governor Waiguru. he emphasized the urgent need for immediate action.
Several counties report difficulties in paying staff salaries. Others struggle to maintain basic services for their residents.
The delay affects development projects across all 47 counties. Many construction and infrastructure improvements have stopped completely.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary explains that revenue collection challenges caused the delay. However, governors dismiss this explanation as unsatisfactory.
Healthcare services in counties face particular strain. Many hospitals report shortages of essential medicines and supplies.
County workers threaten to strike if they don’t receive their salaries soon. This could further paralyze service delivery in the counties.
The governors plan to meet President William Ruto this week. They seek his intervention in resolving the funding crisis.
Legal experts suggest the delays violate constitutional provisions. The law requires regular and timely disbursement of county funds.
Opposition leaders support the governors’ demands for immediate action. They criticize the national government’s handling of county funding.
Some counties report using local revenue to maintain essential services. However, this approach proves insufficient for their needs.
The Commission on Revenue Allocation expresses concern over the delays. They warn of serious consequences for devolution if the situation persists.
Economists warn that delayed funding could affect Kenya’s economic growth. County governments play crucial roles in local economic development.
Business communities in various counties report declining activities. The lack of government spending affects local economies significantly.
County assemblies struggle to conduct their oversight roles effectively. The funding crisis limits their ability to monitor county operations.
International development partners monitor the situation closely. They worry about the impact on donor-funded projects in counties.
The Treasury promises to release some funds next week. However, governors demand a complete solution to prevent future delays.
Public health experts warn of possible disease outbreaks. Many counties cannot maintain proper sanitation due to funding constraints.
Agricultural programs in rural counties face significant challenges. Farmers cannot access crucial government support services.
Education programs under county management suffer setbacks. Early childhood education centres particularly feel the impact.
The Senate plans to summon Treasury officials for explanation. They seek answers about the persistent delays in county funding.
Residents in various counties express frustration over declining services. They demand immediate resolution of the funding crisis.
Tags: County Funding Crisis, Council of Governors, National Treasury, Anne Waiguru, County Services, Healthcare Crisis, Development Projects, Revenue Collection, Constitutional Crisis, William Ruto, County Workers, Public Services, Government Funding, Economic Impact, Local Government, Kenya Politics, County Operations, Healthcare Services, Financial Crisis, Public Administration