West Pokot leaders have called on the national government to fast track release of 6 billion shillings meant for 14 marginalized counties.
The leaders said West Pokot County has lagged behind in development since it was marginalized for many years by the past regimes.
Led by Governor Simon Kachapin the leaders said the equalization kitty should be distributed to the Counties to fast track development.
Speaking at Chepareria, Governor Kachapin called on the treasury to ease distribution of the funds that have delayed in the last three years.
Kachapin said the 14 counties have struggled to initiate development projects due to meager allocation.
“The kitty is critical to ensure equal distribution of resources in the Country. We appreciate the President for launching the kitty recently because it will boost our service delivery to people,” he said.
Kachapin said the special fund is established in the constitution to assist Kenya’s most impoverished areas and is calculated as a fraction of Kenya’s annual national revenue.
He pointed out Water, Infrastructure and Food security among areas that need urgent attention among the pastoral communities.
“This is the only way to solve historical injustices that were done to be people by the previous regimes, he said.
However the County boss protested over long bureaucracy in the disbursement of the funds urging treasury to ensure fast allocation of the funds.
He said the County government has been forced to shelve most of priorities due to lack of funds yet the national government has delayed the equalization kitty for more than three years.
“We want the Treasury to facilitate issuance of the funds to counties to boost our development plan. We have been suffering for so long and we want to give better services to our people,” he added.
Kachapin regretted that the Funds envelope for devolution is still small and called on senators to fight for more county allocation.
