Governors across Kenya are pushing for the simultaneous passage of financial bills, arguing that delays hinder county development and service delivery. The Council of Governors (CoG) urges the National Government to pass the County Revenue Allocation Bill, Division of Revenue Bill, and County Governments Additional Allocation Bill together to prevent bureaucratic bottlenecks that block access to critical funds.
At a forum on the Kenya Devolution Support Program (KDSP II) in Naivasha, CoG Chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi highlighted how billions meant for agriculture, health, and education remain unused due to staggered approvals and delayed disbursements. He warned that counties struggle to implement projects because funds often arrive too late in the financial year.
Governors also raised concerns about the County Governments Additional Allocation Act (CGAA), signed into law by President William Ruto. While designed to channel donor funds to counties, governors argue that bureaucratic hurdles prevent timely access to these resources.
Additionally, the CoG accused the National Treasury of intentionally delaying disbursements and working with lawmakers to undermine county governments. They urged development partners to engage directly with counties through the CoG to bypass inefficiencies.
“The national government’s support for devolution is not reflected in its actions,” Abdullahi stated, warning that counties are financially strangled and struggling to deliver essential services.
The World Bank echoed these concerns, cautioning that disbursement delays disrupt donor planning and could deter future investment. The CoG is now advocating for a transparent, timely, and decentralized approach to donor allocations to empower counties in meeting public needs.
