Governors unanimously faults current regime for sabotaging devolved units and not keeping up to campaign promises
They demanded Ksh 450 billion from shareable revenue as spelt out in the law
However, National Assembly Committee on Budget and Appropriation maintains status quo as they engage National Treasury on the matter
The Council of Governors have yet again sounded an alarm over alleged attempts by Kenya Kwanza Administration to claw back on the gains made on devolution by starving counties of 35 percent stake of national revenue
In a spirited effort to ensure they get more funds in 2024/2025 financial year, the Council of Governors (CoG) wants the National Assembly to ensure they receive at least Ksh.450 billion to enable them excute critical mandates like health which is bestowed on them
Appearing before the National Assembly Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations Chaired by Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, on Friday 1st March, Vice Chair to the Council of Governors Ahmed Abdullahi [Wajir] said national government seems to be competing with devolved units hence undermining service delivery
“Why would the National Government remain with huge amounts of money whereas most of functions are devolved. Counties are in charge of all Level V Hospitals, Basic Education, but you will find Treasury allocating over Ksh 140 billion to just a Ministry which is merely going for policy formulation,” Abdullahi observed
Flanked by the Chair of Health Committee in the CoG, Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki raised concerns how the Ministry of Health is remaining with Ksh 138 billion, yet county health facilities offering best treatment services are left to divide the meagre allocation to all it’s ministries and departments
“How can you expect to get nice treatments like in UK, India or USA if you continue reducing funds to counties- that can be used to construct modern health facilities and equip them with right and effective drugs?.
We are really being deserviced by the government because even after getting little funds, the national government is not willing to buy pharmaceuticals and drugs from Kenya Medical Supplies Authority- we are left with them to go and beg them to supply drugs to our health facilities while they owe us debts either from previous supplies- this is done of desperation,” Muthomi Njuki recounted how Governors go through almost breaking into tears
He further wondered why the national government was going back on its promise of giving 35 per cent of shareable revenue to counties and asked the Ndindi Nyoro led committee not to relent in trying to make sure the promise is kept.
“When my Kenya Kwanza coalition was campaigning they promised that the minimum they will give devolved functions of the shareable revenue is 35%, so we’re asking of this honourable committee please don’t be a party to tainting by coalition, please help them realize that they need to honor their promise of 35%,” he said.
Unanimously, several Governors that attended the meeting read from the same script, asking the committee to perform their role and ensure counties are not starved of resources and fail to execute their role.
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sharrif Nassir questioned criteria being used by the national government to remain with huge allocation at the Ministry of Health and other Departments whereas many functions moreso health facilities are found at county levels
“The only National Hospitals we have now it’s Kenyatta National Hospital and Mathare Referral and Teaching Hospital, but one would wonder how over Ksh 138 billion allocated to the said Ministry will be used in Nairobi.
He said so referring how counties are struggling to hire health professionals and construct health facilities with small amounts given and sometimes deliberate delays by the exchequer
“What we‘re saying is that parliament needs to safeguard devolution and be the protector of devolution, because if you don’t do that we will find ourselves in very serious trouble and we’re not asking for any additional resources because that is the narrative…we’re just asking for our fair share,” charged Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Sharrif Nassir.
According to Nassir, Mombasa County has 47 health facilities which needs money for drugs and hiring of health professionals from the already wounded county revenue resources
According to the CoG, the proposed Ksh.391 billion by the National Treasury will be against the Constitution as it will be only 13% of the proposed budget not even 15 per cent which was given by previous administration .
According to Nandi Governor Stephen Sang’ who hails from President William Ruto’s backyard, noted resources are remaining at the national government despite functions being devolved.
“ECD which carries huge budget is devolved, when you compare what Ministry of Education does at county level and what Governors are doing you will find there’s mismatch. Governor wil make sure that ECD classroom is constructed, teachers hired, learning materials provided with these constraints budget allocation,” Sang’ described how they are struggling to efficiently run county units with insufficient funds
He noted that if national government would be willing to even trickle down water resources and devolve water docket, Governors will do immensely job to make sure that residents get clean drinking water from the already established water authorities across the country whom he termed as doing nothing over the years
“We are not here to demand for more money, we are here to demand for our fair share of our national revenue, and fair share means that any devolved function should be followed by resources,” Baringo Governor Moses Cheboi added.
In responding to their demands, Committee’s Chair Ndindi Nyoro and handful of lawmakers were persuaded by Governors stating that if the national revenue cake was in their disposal would just give 35% to counties because they are doing a lot functions
“Every Ministry, and department which has come here, they are all demand for more money, none of them have told me our budget is big please reduce, but on Governors, you are really doing a lot and you deserve fair share,” Nyoro pointed
MPs Dr Makali Mulu who is the Vice Chair to the Committee and Kitui Central legislator together with Igembe South MP John Paul Mwirigi faulted the CoG asking what are their demands during Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council which is established under Public Finance Management Act chaired by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua
According to vocal legislators, the forum (read IBEC) is the best placed to negotiate for more funds to county governments before coming to plead with bicameral parliament