- Council of Governors wants key finance laws passed at the same time
- Delays in disbursement are affecting major services in health, education, and agriculture
- Governors want development partners to work directly with the counties
- World Bank warns delays could scare away future donors
- CoG calls for a full shake-up in how donor funds are handled
The Council of Governors (CoG) has raised the alarm over continued delays in the release of crucial funds meant for county development. Speaking in Naivasha during a Kenya Devolution Support Program (KDSP II) forum, governors said the national government’s failure to pass key finance-related laws together is hurting service delivery on the ground.
They pointed out that separate and slow approvals of the Division of Revenue Bill, County Revenue Allocation Bill, and County Governments Additional Allocation Bill have left counties stranded, with many unable to access donor-backed funds.
Governor Ahmed Abdullahi of Wajir, who chairs the CoG, said the delays are blocking progress in sectors like education, agriculture, and healthcare. “By the time counties receive money, the financial year is almost ending. These delays kill projects before they even start,” he said.
Donor Projects at Risk as Governors Push for Change
While President Ruto recently signed the County Governments Additional Allocation Act (CGAA) into law, the governors say it’s not helping because counties still can’t reach the donor funds due to too much red tape. They claim the law was meant to fast-track donor allocations, but nothing has changed on the ground.
The CoG has now accused the National Treasury of slowing things down on purpose and working with politicians to make county operations difficult. They are urging development partners to work directly with countries through the Council instead of relying on national channels.
“We can’t talk about devolution when counties are being choked financially,” said Governor Abdullahi. “There’s no real support unless money reaches the counties on time.”
Even the World Bank has joined the conversation, warning that the delays are creating planning issues and may push donors away from supporting Kenya’s local development programs in the future.
As pressure grows, the CoG is now calling for a complete overhaul of how donor funding is handled, demanding a clear, timely, and country-led system that puts local needs first.
