Governors seek urgent meeting with President Uhuru Kenyatta

Chairman of the council of Governors Peter Munya (center) flanked by members of the council addressing the press at their office in westlands,they said county governments will contribute 1million shillings to Kenya Red Cross to help mitigate drought on 6/2/17 [Photo-BEVERLYNE MUSILI/Standard]

Governors want an urgent meeting with President Uhuru Kenyatta to find solutions to national crises.

After holding an extra-ordinary meeting at the Council of Governors (CoG) offices in Nairobi yesterday, the county bosses cited the current drought ravaging the country, doctors’ strike, Division of Revenue Bill, 2017, the Integrated Financial Management Information System and the ownership of assets and liabilities of the defunct county and municipal councils as matters that require urgent intervention.

The leaders pledged individual donations and Sh1 million each from the 47 devolved units to the Kenya Red Cross Society (KRCS) towards the charity institution’s Sh1 billion drought fund appeal to support those affected by drought.

“The CoG wants a meeting with the President so that together we can map out joint strategies to alleviate the suffering of Kenyans. We want the drought declared a national disaster,” said Peter Munya, the council’s chairman.

The Meru governor called for a coordinated approach to address the drought menace, noting that the current efforts are disjointed.

Not coordinated

“Support by the national government is not well coordinated and the counties are not aware of its interventions. The council notes that the contingency funds allocated to line ministries to a tune of Sh5.3 billion for interventions in the period of November 2016 and January 2017 is not trickling down to the affected people,” Munya said.

He said the governors have agreed to work with KRCS because it is more effective. “We are aware that the national government has allocated Sh21 billion to respond to the current drought. There is need to harmonise intervention activities by both governments and development partners for effective results,” Munya said.

Kitui Governor Julius Malombe said although individual counties are doing their best, governors have agreed to make individual contributions to help the affected counties.

“The CoG and KRCS will adopt the cash transfer and food voucher system instead of donating maize to the people who have serious nutritional problems. This method is dignified, cheaper and more effective way of helping those affected instead of having them queue for food rations. KRCS has told us that Sh3,000 per month can do for a family of five,” Malombe said.

Munya, who led the council to meet with the National Treasury officials yesterday evening over the controversial Division of Revenue Bill, 2017, called on the Senate not to approve the Bill, as it is detrimental to devolution.