Why governors should do more with increased funds

Early this week, the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) released a revised revenue allocation criteria for the counties that showed an increment of Sh50 billion from last year to Sh279 billion.

This is a shot in the arm for the besieged governors.

Unlike before, CRA factored in money for salaries for county staff.

This matter had created friction between county governments and workers on one hand and county governments and the national government on the other because of non-payment or late payment of salaries, especially because the new units had inherited staff from the previous central government.

And their remuneration and other recurrent expenditure gobbled up most of the funds.

It is hoped that counties will do more with the increased allocation that frees up money meant for development.

Previously, a few counties have been accused of failing to utilise the funds well, leading to money being returned to the National Treasury.

This was despite complaints that the funds were insufficient. It therefore follows that strikes over delayed salaries should not recur.

The drop in the quality of service at hospitals because of strikes occasioned by complaints about poor pay and lack of medical supplies should be dealt with once and for all.

This is not to say that county governments have not done a good job.

Despite the teething problems, many have been exemplary, giving hope to millions who had felt shortchanged by the former central government.

But then again, the increment might look like a drop in the ocean when considered against demands by the Council of Governors.

The council had asked for Sh400 billion, which represents 45 per cent of the national budget and had triggered a push to have the Constitution changed through a referendum.

The Constitution pegs county allocations at no less than 15 per cent of the national budget.

That has been the bone of contention between the national government and the county managers.

The Executive has even castigated the governors, saying there were mechanisms through which such demands for more money could be met without resorting to a "costly" referendum.

This newspaper hopes the governors will not look a gift horse in the mouth, but rather use the freed up resources to make the lives of the people better by engaging the money in ventures that uplift their standards of living.

The rationale for that is that counties use the available allocations prudently on worthy causes and avoid wastage through misplaced priorities exemplified by dubious purchases and foreign junkets by MCAs and county executives.

The people expect better service provision, good roads, well-equipped hospitals, clean air and water, better education and connection to the national power grid.

Counties should prove that they can do more with the little they have.