Cash crisis slowing down services in counties, governors warn

Council of Governors chairman and Meru Governor Peter Munya arrives at KK Etama Dispensary in Igembe North Sub-County during its official opening on October 12, 2015. Mr Munya said services in counties are grinding to a halt because the national government had failed to release funds to them. PHOTO | PHOEBE OKALL | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The Meru governor said because of lack of money, no county had been able to carry out its mandate.
  • He added that counties had not been able to pay salaries, service their debts and offer crucial services to residents.
  • The Constitution, he reiterated, does not allow the national government to spend money belonging to counties or divert it to other functions.
  • He asked the Senate to reject a Bill passed by MPs seeking to transfer the Equalization Fund to constituencies.

The Council of Governors has warned of a possible disruption of services if the national government does not send money to the counties.

Council chairman Peter Munya on Monday said development projects had been hampered by the cash constraints.

“Everything has come to a standstill in the counties because the national government is withholding money. This will drive the country into a crisis,” he lamented.

He spoke after opening the KK Etama Dispensary in Igembe North Sub-County.

The Meru governor said because of lack of money, no county had been able to carry out its mandate.

He added that counties had not been able to pay salaries, service their debts and offer crucial services to residents.

DEMANDED EXPLANATION

“We demand an explanation from the national government as to why we have not received funds for August, September and October.

“This is the first time the government has not released county funds for three consecutive months,” said Governor Munya.

The Constitution, he reiterated, does not allow the national government to spend money belonging to counties or divert it to other functions.

He added that the situation was disheartening.

“How do we carry out our responsibilities without money?” he posed.

He asked the national government to release the funds soon or they would be forced to move to court to demand for it.

Governor Munya asked the Senate to reject a Bill passed by MPs seeking to transfer the Equalization Fund to constituencies.

He said the move was unconstitutional and he threatened to go to court to block the Bill.

He said the move by the MPs, apart from offending the principle of separation of powers, is illegal and unconstitutional.

“The Constitution does not allow the Members of Parliament to divert the fund to CDF,” argued the Meru governor.

The Equalisation Fund, which accounts for 0.5 per cent of all revenue collected by the national government, is meant to assist identified marginalised areas in providing basic services so as to bring the quality of those services to par with the rest of the country.