The Council of Governors (CoG) and the national government on Tuesday publicly clashed during a Cabinet retreat in Naivasha.
This after CoG Chairperson Anne Waiguru highlighted a proposed Ksh.33 billion budget cut in the allocation of county revenue for the fiscal year 2024-2025, along with allegations of sabotage in service delivery.
The clash of opinions reportedly arose after Waiguru rejected a proposal to allocate Ksh.391 billion to counties for the fiscal year 2024- 2025, instead of the budgeted Ksh.424 billion, resulting in the Ksh.33 billion deficit.
“If we continue to claw back, it will bring a revolution from the people. Don’t be the government that will lead to a major clash with devolution. The Constitution was passed because of devolution,” said Waiguru.
The Executive, led by President William Ruto, however refuted allegations of sabotaging devolution, citing significant obligations across various sectors of the economy, coupled with debt repayment responsibilities.
“These fights and wars happen even in ministries and departments. Counties are our partners, not our competitors,” President Ruto said.
“Counties must be alive to the financial economic situation this country is facing at the moment,” Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi added.
Waiguru correspondingly asked the Executive to give the Governors ample time and space to execute the development agenda in their respective counties.
“The Governors support Kenya Kwanza development agenda but they are urging to be given their own space to deliver their devolution mandate. We can work together to avoid the pushing and pulling,” she said.
With the National Treasury pledging to clear all pending disbursement to devolved units by end of February 2024, focus now shifts to the Bicameral House where the Division of Revenue bill together with County Allocation of Revenue Bill, awaits heated debate by Members of Parliament.
