President Uhuru Kenyatta has urged Governors to use the resources available before looking for more County funds’ allocation. Speaking at Gatanga during the burial of Peter Kenneth’s mother, the late Rahab Muhuni, President Kenyatta said one can’t eat what he hasn’t planted, “We want our Counties to work, but if you go looking for more money which isn’t there, where will it come from?” he posed.
The stalemate between the County governments and the national government has been taken to the Supreme Court, with Governors seeking a way forward in the mess that may threaten County services and service delivery this financial year. County governments want the equitable share increased to Kshs 335 billion, a figure supported by Senators and proposed by the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) but the National Assembly had earlier proposed Kshs 310 billion, a figure that was increased to Kshs 316 billion after complaints from the County bosses. However, they knocked back the latest figure.
Chief Justice David Maraga had called for the two opposing sides to talk over the matter and find an amicable solution and way forward. “You cannot make money, you cannot print money, so please, Governors, use what you first have well,” he said. He told Senators and MPs who may increase the allocation to cater for the costs themselves, “We have allocated what we have…we don’t have a money-making factory. The money comes from Kenyans’ hard work.”
Speaking earlier on Thursday on another function, during the commissioning of the Bidco Industrial Park, the Head of State urged leaders to cease politicking and serve Kenyans. He said it doesn’t matter who will become President after him, “Leadership will come, elections will come and Kenya ain’t going anywhere.” His comments came after remarks from Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi faulted President Kenyatta’s leadership, saying he has been overwhelmed by his office.
