CS Wamalwa to resolve delay of funds disbursement
What you need to know:
- Governors Kingi and Joho had accused the national government of frustrating devolution by delaying the funds.
- Mr Wamalwa urged governors to work together with the national government to strengthen intergovernmental relations.
Devolution Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa has pledged to address delayed disbursement of funds to counties.
He said he had received complaints on the delays from members of the Senate and promised he would meet National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich to address the issue.
“Yesterday we had a meeting with members of the Senate. This is one of the key issues we were looking at.
"When I get to Nairobi we will sit down with the Treasury CS and ensure disbursement of funds to county governments is done on time,” he said.
Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi and his Mombasa counterpart Hassan Joho had accused the national government of frustrating devolution by delaying funds meant for development.
WATER
Speaking at Wayu and Garsen in Tana River County where he was accompanied by Chief Administrative Secretary Hussein Dado and Devolution Principal Secretary Micah Powon to distribute relief food, Mr Wamalwa urged governors to work together with the national government to strengthen intergovernmental relations.
“We are ready to work with counties to serve the people effectively,” he said.
At Garsen, where he was joined by Senator Juma Wario, he said he would work closely with county governments to ensure smooth flow of services.
The CS promised to buy a water bowser to provide water for Wayu residents hit by drought.
He said the government planned to construct more than 60 water pans in various parts of the country, including Tana River.
DROUGHT
Mr Wamalwa told security agencies at Galana Kulalu to go easy on residents, as part of the land had been given to them by the national government and they had a right to access it.
He said the Galana Kulalu irrigation project in Kilifi and Tana River counties is producing enough food to feed residents affected by drought.
“Some of the relief food supplied to Kilifi, Lunga Lunga and Kinango, among other places, is produced at Galana Kulalu,” he said, adding “the region has the potential to feed the nation. We want to make it Kenya’s bread basket.”
He said the government would improve Bura, Hola and Galana Kulalu irrigation projects.
The CS told chiefs, deputy county commissioners and headmen to ensure relief food reaches the targeted people.
He urged pastoral and farming communities to co-exist peacefully.
Later, he toured Mandigo and Oda areas to distribute relief food.
