The Senate Ad Hoc committee meeting in West Pokot at Kapenguria County headquarters has disclosed that Counties need to be allocated more funds for infrastructure to reduce the burden of setting up offices at the County level.
The Committee chair Senator Miriuki Karue (Nyandarua County) has said the Committee has established that half of the Counties are faced with the burden of housing their staff due to inadequate office space.
Speaking at Kapenguria after a fact finding tour to see the County headquarters Miriuki said there is need for Counties to get additional funding from the National Government to support infrastructural needs including office spaces to enable the County Government run effectively.
The Chair accompanied by members Senator John Lonyangapuo (West Pokot) and nominated Senator Fatuma Dullo said West Pokot county government is one of the Counties that need more funds to support office infrastructure .
Miriuki said most of the Counties have been forced to divert funds meant for development to build office which has affected services to the people.
“Half of the County governments have been forced to utilize millions of shillings meant for development to set up offices that is why we recommend that such Counties be allocate more funds to cater for office infrastructure,” said Miriuki.
The team visited the West Pokot County Government headquarters, the County Assembly and the County Commissioner’s office which are under construction.
It emerged that the Governor is currently operating from a building that was meant to house the County Commissioner who is currently operating from an old colonial building that has since been abondoned.
Lonyangapuo said there is need for marginalized Counties to be given special priority in allocation of funds since they lack many basic facilities compared to other developed Counties.
He said the Senate will continue championing for the well-being of Counties to ensure a good foundation for devolution.
“We are committed to ensure we support governors in implementing devolution but we also call on them to objectively utilize funds for the public,” said Lonyangapuo.
West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin called on the senate to be defenders of devolution and to stop witch-hunting governors for their selfish gains.
He said Governors are committed in serving Kenyans and they should be supported to ensure better service delivery by County governments.
“Governors and senators should work together to defend devolution and ensure a good foundation for the devolved units,” he said.
The Ministry of Public Works between 2010 and 2011 compiled a report detailing counties that required infrastructure assistance and 27 billion shillings was set aside by the national government to put up modern buildings for the counties.