A major financial crisis is looming in West Pokot County following the delay by the National Treasury to release County funds because of the stalemate between the Senate and National Assembly. Development projects in the County have stalled and workers have not been paid their salaries.
Area Governor John Lonyangapuo has protested the delay in disbursement of funds saying it has crippled basic services and running of activities in the County. “County employees have not received their salaries from July and August. It is unfair to hear of workers striking in Counties because they haven’t been paid despite working,” he said.
He said the delay had greatly affected operations, with health, education bursaries, water, disaster management and public works, County public service and procurement being the most affected.
He said development projects and payments to suppliers and contractors in the County may be put to hold due to a financial crisis. “We need 335 billion shillings in the Counties, last year we were given 114 billion shillings and we don’t know what is happening,” said Lonyangapuo.
Lonyangapuo who decided to ride on a motorbike when going for a function blamed the national government for the delay. The Governor who also attended the Pokot meat eating festival known as Kriket at Lokorunoi village called on the government to immediately release the funds, faulting Senators and MPs for using their differences to kill devolution.