The Treasury has been urged to immediately release funds to Counties to allow County governments run their programmes smoothly. The appeal has been made by Busia County Deputy Governor Dr. Moses Mulomi, who has lamented that delay by the treasury to release funds. This comes days after the stalemate between the Senate and National Assembly was resolved, and a Kshs 316 billion figure was agreed. President Uhuru Kenyatta signed the Division of Revenue Bill 2019 early last week shortly afterwards.
Mulomi said the delay to release the funds has put many Counties including Busia in jeopardy, “Counties have really suffered following the stalemate and there is no justifiable reason for the Treasury to continue holding the funds. At least in Busia, we were able to pay employees’ salary, but in other Counties employees missed their salary which is very unfortunate.”
Speaking during the burial of the second wife of former Butula Member of Parliament the late Gerald Masibayi, Mrs. Getrude Masibayi at her home at Mauko village in Butula sub county, Mulomi said the County government had initiated many projects but they have failed to take off or complete due to the delay.
He, however, revealed that there are a number of projects going on in the County including installation of street lights in various towns and shopping centres to bolster security and business, building of markets and sinking boreholes, “We are currently installing security lights in various towns and markets including Murunba, Butula, Funyula….We are also drilling solar powered boreholes in areas that have been struck by inadequate water availability and our aim is to ensure that all Busia County residents get clean water with ease,” he said, “We are also building modern markets like the ones you normally tell us that exist in our neighbouring Counties. These are ongoing projects and which will be completed this financial year.” Mulomi reiterated that he will vie for Busia County gubernatorial seat in 2022 and use his development track record to woo voters.