Governors fight Sh46bn budget cut amid Covid-19 pandemic
Council of Governors Chairman Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega) addresses the media in Nairobi on April 8, 2020 on the postponement of the Annual Devolution Conference over the Covid-19 pandemic. PHOTO | DENNIS ONSONGO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- CoG chairman Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega) said on Friday that the move was in bad faith and meant to cripple operations in counties.
- Mr Oparanya further said it was unfair for the national government to come up with decisions that disrupt service delivery in counties.
- Senator Malala said he would lobby his colleagues in the Senate to reject the proposed amendment to the bill.
The Council of Governors (CoG) has opposed the National Treasury's proposal to cut allocations to counties by Sh46 billion.
CoG chairman Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega) said on Friday that the move was in bad faith and meant to cripple operations in counties.
Mr Oparanya said governors would meet in Nairobi on Tuesday to discuss the proposed amendments to the County Allocation Revenue Bill and make a stand..
"It is now clear that the national government does not appreciate the role counties are playing in the campaign to contain the spread of the coronavirus," he said.
"It is so frustrating when counties make many sacrifices to support efforts by the national government but end up being denied funds, yet our revenue streams have been hit badly by the pandemic."
He spoke at the Kakamega County headquarters after a meeting with members of Parliament and county representatives.
DISRUPTION
Mr Oparanya further said it was unfair for the national government to come up with decisions that disrupt service delivery in counties.
He cited Kakamega, saying it had been forced to revise it's revenue target from Sh2.4 billion to Sh1.6 billion, following the decision to close open air markets, a key source of revenue for devolved units.
"We have been forced to suspend the implementation of key projects we had budgeted for to focus on the coronavirus pandemic but our contribution is not being appreciated by the national government," Mr Oparanya said.
He addressed the press flanked by Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, County Commissioner Pauline Dola, Woman Representative Elsie Muhanda and several MPs from the county.
UNITED FRONT
Senator Malala said he would lobby his colleagues in the Senate to reject the proposed amendment to the bill.
He asked health workers in Kakamega, who issued a strike notice, to allow dialogue amid the resolution of their grievances.
The health workers have complained of lack of personal protective equipment (PPEs) while attending to patients suspected to have Covid-19, hence the risk of infection.
