Financial autonomy: Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir urges Ruto to empower counties
At present, most county assemblies do not receive funds directly from the National Treasury. Instead, they depend on governors and county finance departments to access their operational budgets.
Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir has called on President William Ruto to move swiftly in ensuring the long-promised financial and legislative independence of county assemblies is finally realised.
Governor Abdulswamad said that while the Constitution envisages a separation of powers between the county legislature and executive, the lack of full autonomy has undermined the ability of assemblies to conduct oversight independently.
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“The county government of Mombasa has consistently supported the financial autonomy of our County Assembly. While Mombasa has always met its obligations on time, we recognise that true oversight can only thrive under institutional independence,” said Governor Abdulswamad.
At present, most county assemblies do not receive funds directly from the National Treasury. Instead, they depend on governors and county finance departments to access their operational budgets, an arrangement critics say exposes them to political interference and delays.
Several assemblies have witnessed work slowdowns and protests over unpaid allowances and inadequate funding, often linked to the executive’s control of finances.
While commending President Ruto for his public support of devolution, Nassir pressed for quicker implementation of the legal framework necessary to anchor fiscal autonomy.
“I now urge the President to fast-track the implementation of this framework so that county assemblies across the country can perform their oversight role without constraint, and in full service of the people,” he said.
More than ten years since Kenya rolled out devolution, efforts to enact laws granting assemblies direct access to public funds have repeatedly stalled in Parliament.
Concerns over potential misuse and lack of oversight have slowed progress, despite growing pressure from MCAs and devolution advocates.
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