Now Government accepts to give more money to counties

President Uhuru Kenyatta addresses the press flanked by Governors at the close of a two day fifth National and County Government Co-ordinating Summit, at the Sagana State Lodge, in Nyeri County, February 11, 2016. The Summit, is a creation of the Intergovernmental Relations Act. [PHOTO: MOSE SAMMY/STANDARD].

The Government and governors have agreed that counties will receive more funds in the next financial year.

According to resolutions read yesterday by President Uhuru Kenyatta, who chaired a summit at Sagana State Lodge in Nyeri, the convention also agreed to cut by half travel expenditure and allowances in new austerity measures.

The new cost-cutting measures announced at the end of summit will be extended to the Judiciary, National Assembly, the Senate and county assemblies.

The highest organ bringing together the two tiers of government reportedly agreed to a Sh294 billion to the counties.

To show the commitment in enforcing the austerity measures, the President announced that the recurrent budget in the 2016/2017 financial year would be reduced.

The Government also committed to streamline disbursement of funds to counties, which has been among the sticking issues that the governors wanted addressed.

The meeting agreed to form an ad hoc committee to deal with the contentious issues that include the devolution of the roads function and sharing of funds.

The governors are also said to have complained about constant harassment by Ethics and Anti Corruption Commission.

Council of Governors Chairman Peter Munya, who spoke briefly before the President, described the forum that kicked off on Wednesday as "a frank engagement with the national government".

The forum was attended by Deputy President William Ruto, 31 governors and all Cabinet secretaries, Controller of Budget Agnes Odhiambo, Salaries and Remuneration Commission Chairperson Sarah Serem and Commission on Revenue Allocation Chairman Micah Cheserem.

REVENUE COLLECTION

While the issue of funds allocation was among those agreed between the leaders, it was not clear the actual amount of money that would be increased to the devolved units and whether governors would abandon their Pesa Mashinani referendum initiative.

The President said in order to present more resources for the counties, there was need to tighten rules on austerity at both the national and county government levels.

In what he described as a fruitful deliberation with the county chiefs, the President said all in attendance had agreed to cut down on wastage in the public sector.

He expressed optimism that since they had agreed on many of the issues on the table during the retreat, relations between the two levels of government would improve.

"I think we should hold all the summits here in Sagana since we have had fruitful deliberations. While in Nairobi, we fail to agree on so many things but I think the weather here is conducive for deliberations," said President Kenyatta.

The meeting also resolved that both tiers of government should intensify their efforts in revenue collection "so that we can boost the overall basket for development".

The President also said they had agreed to form a team to analyse the functions of both levels of Government to cut on duplication and wastage of resources.

"We have also agreed that we have to fight corruption at both levels of government since this has affected service delivery and development," he said.

 He also hit out at county assemblies, which he said have been blamed for excessive spending, saying every Kenyan should mind the welfare of the country.

"As we build on the successes of devolution, it is incumbent of us to root out corruption. Let us also continue to work together and in harmony," said the President, adding: "We have come a long way in a short period. Every county is currently a vibrant testimony of development, which is brought about by devolution."

The President said through devolution, West Pokot County was able to establish the first Kenya Medical Training College campus, while Wajir County realised the first tarmac road.

He said through devolution, access to basic services has been enhanced and without discrimination.