Council of Governors says Treasury yet to release Sh82b

 The National Treasury is yet to disburse Sh82 billion balance of the equitable share of revenue to the counties, barely a month to the end of this financial year.

This has derailed the county governments’ response to the Covid-19 pandemic, drought and floods ravaging parts of the country, said the chair of Council of Governors (CoG) Martin Wambora.

“The National Treasury has so far disbursed a total of Sh8.8 billion and outstanding amount owed to the counties is Sh82 billion,” said Wambora who is also the Governor of Embu County, said Governor Hassan Joho’s office in Mombasa. The arrears include the Sh3.9 billion is owed to Nairobi City County for February and Sh25 billion owed to all the 47 counties for March.

All the 47 counties are also owed Sh28 billion for April and Sh25 billion for May. Wambora asked the National Treasury to fast-track the release of the funds.

Wambora said parts of the country have been hit by floods and the county government lacks funds respond adequately.

Heavy rains have been witnessed in Nairobi, Machakos, Kajiado, Siaya, Kiambu, Kisumu, Busia, Migori and Tana River displacing hundreds of residents.“In informal settlements such as Kibra, people have been rendered homeless and they are vulnerable to disease outbreaks owing to poor sanitation,” he said.