The Senate has passed seven bills, among them the Equalisation Fund Appropriation Bill, 2023. The Equalisation Fund, with a total allocation of KES 10.8 billion, aims to support the delivery of fundamental services such as water, roads, healthcare facilities, and electricity, primarily targeting regions historically underserved by past administrations.
A total of 33 counties have been earmarked to benefit from this allocation, supplementing both national and county-level efforts to enhance infrastructure and services in marginalized areas. The objective is to bridge the gap in service quality between these regions and the rest of the nation.
Despite objections from parliamentarians representing the Central region, who advocated for a more equitable distribution of resources, lawmakers from marginalized areas successfully advocated for their regions to receive their due share, aligning with the constitutional mandate outlined in the 2010 Constitution .
However, disparities persist within regions. For instance, out of 34 constituencies in a specific area, only one, Ithanga Ward in Gatanga Constituency, will receive funding, amounting to KES 5 million. Meanwhile, counties in Nyanza and North Eastern regions emerge as major beneficiaries of the fund.
In Nyanza, Muhoroni and Nyando Constituencies in Kisumu are set to receive a total of Ksh25 million, while Bondo, Gem, and Rarieda constituencies in Siaya will share KES 33 million. Additionally, several constituencies in Homa Bay and Migori counties are slated to receive significant allocations .
Notably, all constituencies in the defunct North Eastern region are set to benefit from the Equalisation Fund. Among the top recipients are Turkana, West Pokot, Narok, Mandera, and Wajir counties, each receiving substantial allocations (Author’s Last Name, Year).
Furthermore, Upper Eastern counties, including Meru and Tharaka Nithi, part of the larger Mt. Kenya region, are included in the distribution plan. Specific constituencies within these counties, such as Igembe South, South Imenti, Tigania East, Maara, and Tharaka, are slated to receive allocations.
In summary, the Equalisation Fund Appropriation Bill, 2023, represents a significant step towards addressing historical marginalization, with targeted allocations aimed at improving infrastructure and service delivery in underserved regions across the country.
