Governors fault proposal to slash County Equitable Share by Ksh.5B

Governors have rejected the National Treasury proposal to slash the County Equitable Share by Ksh.5 billion from the current Ksh.400.12 billion.

Speaking in a press briefing in Nairobi, the Council of Governors Chairperson Anne Waiguru said the move not only undermines the spirit of devolution but also but also jeopardizes the essential services delivered to Kenyans across the 47 countries.

“We therefore wish to state unequivocally that the Council rejects this proposal in totality and demand that the National Treasury retains the County Equitable Share as enumerated in the Division of Revenue Act (DoRA), 2O24.” Governor Waiguru stated.

CoG also called for immediate release of equitable share of revenue owed to County Governments for the months of May and June 2024 amounting to Kshs.63.6 billion to ensure uninterrupted service delivery at the county level.

Similarly, governors faulted the National government for the delay in the gazettement of unbundling of functions and transfer of attendant resources.

They want the process expedited noting the delay continues to accelerate the clawback of devolution.

The National Government was faulted for the delay in the gazettement of the unbundling of the functions and the transfer of attendant resources.

The governors said the move by the Water Services Regulatory Board (WASREB) to issue a notice for a public consultation meeting regarding the licensing of Athi Water Works Development Agency as a Water Service Provider for the Northern Collector Tunnel (NCT), infringes on Nairobi County´s constitutional mandate to provide water and sanitation services.

They called upon WASREB and the Ministry of Water to immediately suspend the public participation process until all constitutional and statutory concerns are addressed.

Additionally, COG wants the Ministry of Health to ensure that they transfer funds allocated to County Health Promoters (CHPs) in Special Purpose Account opened by county governments commencing the Financial Year 2024/25.

They also want the health ministry to ensure that the Ksh.8 billion owed to counties by National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF) be paid.