The council of Governors have decried the delay of release of funds amounting to Kshs 94.35 billion meant for the implementation of county budgets.
Speaking at a press briefing in Nairobi, Hon. Ann Waiguru, the Chairperson of the Council of Governors in Kenya said that the financial year 2022/23 is coming to a close in one and a half months yet the national treasury has not disbursed the monies to counties to facilitate implementation of county budgets.
“Despite the mutual agreement between the Council and the national treasury arrived at during a meeting held on 2nd may 2023, the national treasury is yet to disburse the pending equitable share to counties as resolved,” she said.
Waiguru also accused the ministry of health of derailing the county governments efforts to improve healthcare within the counties.
“We are staring at a crisis in the implementation of devolved health services due to deliberate steps by the ministry of health to claw back on the health function, thus derailing the gains made since 2013,” she said.
Waiguru added that some of the areas heavily affected by the said interference of the ministry of health in the execution of devolved health functions include primary health Care delivery, engagement of community health promoters, attempted establishment of primary care networks and creation of institutions and authorities within the sector.
“Despite the challenges, these council reaffirms it’s commitment to the success of devolution and delivery quality service to all Kenyans . We are open to investments and to partnerships to ensure that devolution thrives. We call upon the national government to support this process through issuing conditional grants for all programs on devolved functions,” she said.
