Governors across Kenya are urging the National Government to fast-track and synchronize the passage of all key money bills, including the County Revenue Allocation Bill, Division of Revenue Bill, and the County Governments Additional Allocation Bill. They argue that delays and staggered approvals are hampering development efforts in counties, leaving vital projects in limbo.
During a recent sensitization forum on the Kenya Devolution Support Program (KDSP II) held in Naivasha, the Council of Governors (CoG) voiced strong concerns about the implementation of the County Governments Additional Allocation Act (CGAA), which was recently enacted by President William Ruto. The governors claim the current execution of the law creates bureaucratic obstacles that lock counties out of accessing donor-funded projects, significantly stalling progress in critical sectors such as agriculture, health, and education.
According to the CoG chairperson, Ahmed Abdullahi, billions of shillings meant for counties remain unspent as counties await the release of funds, which are often disbursed late in the financial year. He emphasized the urgent need for a synchronized passage of the money bills by both the National Assembly and Senate to ensure timely disbursement and effective utilization of donor funds.
The Council also accused the National Treasury of deliberately delaying fund disbursements and colluding with lawmakers, thereby frustrating counties’ development agendas. They called on development partners to directly engage with county governments through the CoG, asserting that the National Government’s involvement has created unnecessary bottlenecks hindering the swift implementation of donor-funded programs.
Critics within the CoG lament the executive’s failure to demonstrate genuine support for devolution, noting that despite public commitments, little tangible progress has been made toward empowering counties financially and administratively.
Echoing these concerns, the World Bank has warned that persistent delays in disbursements disrupt donor planning and risk reducing future investment in county-level projects.
The governors are now pushing for a paradigm shift in the implementation of the CGAA, demanding reforms that promote transparency, efficiency, and real empowerment for county governments, ensuring that devolved funds translate into meaningful development for Kenyans.
