President William Ruto has said his government is committed to ensuring the timely disbursement of devolution funds to facilitate seamless service delivery to the people by the devolved units.
Speaking during the 9th National and County Coordinating Summit in Naivasha on February 10, the head of state recognized the contribution of the counties in the development of the country, saying the units deserve attention to help yield more from them.
Read: EACC Gives Governors, Mps 30 Day Ultimatum Over Wealth
“County Governments are at the heart of our development. Given the evident transformation that has come about in the last 10 years, we commit to timely revenue disbursements.” said the president.
“This will hasten devolution and scale up our partnership, particularly in agriculture, security, health and housing.”
Ruto’s promise comes at a time when a tiff has been developing between the counties and the exchequer over delayed disbursement of their shareable revenues.
Governors have particularly singled out delays in development projects as the repercussion of the delays.
Read: Counties Decry Discrimination By Treasury In Funds Disbursement
Governors have also been pushing the government to increase this year’s allocation from Ksh.380 billion to Ksh. 407 billion, a thing the executive has vehemently opposed.
Speaking last week during the closure of the two-day Commonwealth Parliamentary Association post-election seminar for the Senate in Mombasa, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said the government had no money to cater for the increase.
“Sh425 billion is good but we don’t have it. Sh407 billion is better but we don’t have it. We only have Sh380 billion. If you want to hang us, we are helpless,” said the DP.
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