Kenya: The Council of Governors calls for meeting to discuss financial crisis

The Council of Governors (CoG) has called for a meeting of the top body for inter-governmental relations, which comprises the president and the 47 governors, to discuss the country's economy.

CoG wants the National and County Government Co-ordinating Summit to meet to deliberate on the financial crisis facing the country.

Dancers during the Mashujaa Day celebrations at Meru Technical Training Insitute in Imenti North, yesterday. (PHOTO: COURTESY)

CoG Chairman Peter Munya said the summit will also discuss transfer of devolved functions and the delay by the Treasury in disbursing funds to the counties.

Speaking at the Meru Technical Training Institute during the Mashujaa Day celebrations yesterday, Mr Munya, who is also the Meru governor, said the county governments want the meeting to be held soonest to discuss thorny issues, including the state of the economy and the slow implementation of previous summit resolutions.

The Intergovernmental Relations Act, 2012, provides that the summit shall meet at least twice a year.

"The County Government of Meru, just like other county governments, has witnessed deliberate delays in release of money meant for the counties by the National Treasury. This has resulted in delayed payment of salaries and bills, thereby causing anxiety among workers and suppliers," Munya told the public who included Meru Speaker Joseph Kaberia, Meru County Commissioner Wilfred Nyagwanga, County Police Commander Samson Kinne, County Secretary Julius Kimathi, and some MCAs.

Meru Senator Kiraitu Murungi, and Meru MPs gave the event a miss, unlike last year.

Munya said counties were greatly affected by non-remittance of funds, yet they had raised the issue on numerous occasions.

Meanwhile, Kiambu Governor William Kabogo has appealed to all counties to give the national treasury time to resolve the financial crisis facing the country.

"We have shortage of cash at the Treasury, there is no need to blame Henry Rotich (Finance Cabinet Secretary) for the problem but instead we should give them time to handle the issue," said Mr Kabogo.

He, therefore, wants the county employees to give governors time whenever they delay to pay them salaries.

"I congratulate the doctors and nurses in this county for bearing with us when we delayed their salaries as it was not our wish," said Kabogo who was speaking yesterday at Ndumberi stadium during Mashunjaa Day celebrations.

At the same time, Kabogo issued a stern warning to county employees who are involving themselves with corrupt deals.