We are facing cash crunch over Treasury's delay, says Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto

A cash crisis has hit the county following delay by the Treasury to release September allocations, Governor Isaac Ruto has said.

Mr Ruto yesterday said the county has not paid its staff last month's salaries due to lack of funds. "My staff are going without last month's salaries, not because they are on strike but because the Treasury has not released funds to pay them," Ruto said.

In a press statement, Ruto said the delays had put the county in an awkward situation, adding besides the salaries, suppliers are also waiting for payment.

He warned that services would soon come to a grinding halt if nothing is done to ensure that money is released consistently every month.

He said the delay was a letdown, adding the county cannot plan anything without funds.

Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto, Deputy Governor Stephen Mutai and Chemagel Ward MCA David Rotich addressing a press conference at the county headquarters. He said they have been forced to secure funds from departments to help in dealing with occurring disasters during the El Nino rains. (PHOTO: COURTESY)

The county boss also expressed concern over the impending El Nino rains, saying emergencies could not be handled due to the cash crunch. "We cannot plan anything without funds. Even as we anticipate the El Nino rains that come with a lot of destruction and disease outbreaks, we cannot deal with them without money at hand," he said.

The pronouncement by the governor comes hot on the heels of the Council of Governors' calls on the Senate to intervene and stop the frequent delays in release of funds by the Treasury.

 Disease outbreak

Ruto added his government does not have a specific fund to deal with El Nino. He said his government has been compelled to marshal resources from various departments to enable it tackle any disasters that would arise.

He blamed failure by the national government to allocate disaster management funds to the 47 counties during the budget-making process. "The national government should move with speed in ensuring we get the money now," he added.

He said the county anticipates an outbreak of disease during the rains and destruction of infrastructure and there was no money to buy medicine.

He said the Roads department had dispatched teams to ensure that roads that may be affected by the rains are patched so that locals can continue accessing markets and health facilitates during the rainy season.

He added that he had liaised with the Kenya Urban Roads Authority to ensure that drainage in the central business district in Bomet town is opened and potholes filled.