Governors demand direct donor access, reinstatement of Devolution Ministry
They called for the reinstatement of the Ministry of Devolution, arguing that devolution has been sidelined and weakened in the current government structure.
Governors have urged the national government to allow them to deal directly with development partners, saying current restrictions are slowing down critical county projects.
They also called for the reinstatement of the Ministry of Devolution, arguing that devolution has been sidelined and weakened in the current government structure.
More To Read
- County assemblies want direct treasury funding, legal backing
- New Bill seeks to have counties receive conditional grants without Treasury approval
- Financial distress threatens devolution as counties struggle with bloated wage bills, delayed funds
- Governors push for Ruto meeting over Sh78 billion delayed funds, UHC staff transfer
- Governors support state’s Sh12.29 billion lease deal to revive four sugar factories
- Deputy governors demand Sh600 billion for counties to boost devolution
Speaking during the launch of the second phase of the Kenya Devolution Support Programme (KDSP II) in Naivasha, Council of Governors (CoG) Chairman Ahmed Abdullahi of Wajir and his deputy, Mutahi Kahiga of Nyeri, said devolved units are better placed to engage with donors without bureaucratic delays.
The KDSP II, supported by the World Bank with Sh20 billion in funding, aims to strengthen counties’ capacity to deliver services and will run until December 2027.
“Today, devolution is merely a desk in the Office of the Deputy President, with little funding,” said Kahiga, adding that the return of a fully-fledged ministry would enhance support to counties.
He lamented that several laws have been put in place that bar county governments and the CoG from engaging directly with development partners.
“It is frustrating when the National Treasury delays to release of funds. We have shared these frustrations with the Senate and hope for a streamlined County Additional Allocation Act,” Kahiga said.
He further proposed that all development programmes include a portion of funding for the Council to support implementation.
Ahmed welcomed the World Bank support, saying the funding would significantly enhance public service delivery. “I appreciate the World Bank for its support of devolution and development in the grassroots,” he said.
World Bank Regional Operations Manager Anne Margreth Bakilana confirmed that counties had already signed agreements to receive part of the Sh20 billion allocation.
“Already, counties have signed agreements to receive part of the $150 million,” she said during the launch event held at Enashipai Resort.
KDSP II will focus on two areas – training and performance grants, to strengthen core county institutions. According to the World Bank, counties will be assessed on several factors, including planning, financial management, and service delivery, before qualifying for funding.
To access the funds, counties must open accounts at the Central Bank and meet requirements such as disclosing pending bills, demonstrating revenue collection trends, and completing human resource audits.
Bakilana noted that no funds would be released through commercial banks, amid concerns that some counties hold numerous accounts in different banks, which affects transparency.
Project units must also be established to manage the use of funds, and counties will undergo evaluations in public finance management, human resource and performance management, planning and monitoring, and public participation.
Top Stories Today
