I didn’t reject US funds – Waiguru

Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru has said the government is negotiating with the United States over a Sh4.2 billion fund meant for strengthening county governance.

Ms Waiguru said it was misleading for two human rights groups to claim that she had refused to sign a co-operation agreement with the US Agency for International Development (USAid) for release of the funds.

“The US government knows what kind of discussion they are having with the Kenya government as far as the funds are concerned,” she said.

“I will, however, not discuss government issues in the media.”

The National Association of Human Rights Activists (Nahra) and the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy had claimed that Kenya was on the brink of losing Sh4.2 billion that was meant to shore up devolved governments because the Devolution minister had refused to sign the agreement.

Human rights activists urged Ms Waiguru to sign the agreement immediately.

“It is sad to note that Sh4.2 billion project could be withdrawn by the US government if Ms Waiguru does not sign the cooperation agreement as required by the law and diplomatic practice,” said Nahra President Ken Wafula. The USAid committed the money in May last year towards supporting devolution, he said.

“The Sh4.2 billion is not a loan but a grant that the country is not required to repay. Why is the Jubilee Government frustrating this project?” said Mr Wafula.

Lacked facts
However, Ms Waiguru yesterday said the accusations lacked facts, saying the Sh4.2 billion may not be a grant.

“That is not accurate. It is not a grant to the Government of Kenya and you can ask the Americans to give you more facts,” she said. The US agency or embassy officials could not be reached yesterday for comment as it was a public holiday in America.

The funds were committed under the Agile and Harmonised Assistance for Devolved Institutions project.