Governors want Sh38 billion for water services given to counties
What you need to know:
- The Constitution cites the provision of water and sanitation services as a county function, but those services are yet to be devolved.
- The new demand by governors could spark another battle between them and the national government over the transfer of functions.
Governors want Sh38 billion allocated to the Ministry of Water to be given to counties.
They argued that the ministry was duplicating roles by using regional water boards to perform functions counties are responsible for.
Council of Governors chairman Peter Munya on Wednesday said the money should be given using the same formula as that of the free maternity fund.
In the maternity deal, launched by President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2013, counties receive cash from the national government to provide the service on its behalf.
“The ministry cannot use water boards to implement county functions. The Sh38 billion for water provision should be channelled through county revenue accounts as a conditional grant like the maternity fund,” said Mr Munya in a statement.
The Constitution cites the provision of water and sanitation services as a county function, but the services are yet to be released to the devolved units.
NEW BATTLE FRONT
The new demand by governors could spark another battle between them and the national government over the transfer of functions.
“These resources could be disbursed to counties to complement their functions because water is a devolved function,” said Mr Munya, who is also the Meru governor.
Water Principal Secretary Fred Segor last week said the Sh38 billion would be divided among the 47 counties to supply water to homes.
“In the 2015/2016 financial year, the government has budgeted Sh38 billion to go to counties for water provision.
“The money is not enough, but we will keep increasing the amount,” Prof Segor said after inspecting projects in the North Rift.
But Mr Munya argued that the ministry's move was suspect as the transition period ends in March.
“Counties are not departments of the national government and the Ministry of Water should not think it can use us to carry out its own projects.”
Last month, the county bosses threatened to withdraw the free maternity health services in counties, accusing the national government of delaying to release the grants.
