Governors accuse State of denying agency funds
President Uhuru Kenyatta, his deputy William Ruto and Council of Governors chairman Peter Munya during the 4th National and County Governors Summit at State House, Nairobi in December last year. Governors have accused the national government of delaying funding to the team that took over from the Transition Authority (TA). PHOTO | PSCU
What you need to know:
- Governors have accused the national government of delaying funding to the team that took over from the Transition Authority (TA).
- The county chiefs on Tuesday said the Intergovernmental Technical Relations Committee is underfunded and this is affecting its work.
- Council of Governors boss Peter Munya, in a statement, also called for the relocation of the budget basket of the committee from the ministry of Devolution to the office of the President to boost efficiency.
- The intergovernmental committee chaired by former PS Prof Karega Mutahi, took over from the TA upon the expiry of the Kinuthia Wamwangi-led team’s term last month.
Governors have accused the national government of delaying funding to the team that took over from the Transition Authority (TA).
The county chiefs on Tuesday said the Intergovernmental Technical Relations Committee is underfunded and this is affecting its work.
Council of Governors boss Peter Munya, in a statement, also called for the relocation of the budget basket of the committee from the ministry of Devolution to the office of the President to boost efficiency.
The intergovernmental committee chaired by former PS Prof Karega Mutahi, took over from the TA upon the expiry of the Kinuthia Wamwangi-led team’s term last month.
“Services of the committee have been hampered. The Council of Governors now requires Treasury to make funds available to the committee immediately,” Mr Munya said.
The committee is expected to coordinate the activities of the national and county governments, the Summit. President Kenyatta heads the summit and governors are members.
DEVOLVED FUNCTIONS
Some of the functions yet to be devolved include roads, agriculture, betting and casinos, water services, assets and liabilities as well as establishment of county pensions.
On the roads, the governors argued the transfer of Sh143 billion worth of assets were not divided properly and quibble over the Sh5 billion betting and casinos.
The ten-member relations committee was inaugurated in 2015 by the then Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru and tasked with the responsibility of taking up residual functions of the authority.
Mr Munya called for immediate transfer of assets of TA to the technical committee.
This, the county chiefs argue, should be besides strengthening the Relations committee through amendment of the Intergovernmental Relations Act to delink it from devolution ministry.
“The committee needs to be strengthened to take up its functions as the Secretariat to the Summit and that the Summit should not be served by the Ministry of Devolution or the Office of the President.”
