Counties issue strike notice over Sh 94 billion arrears

From Left; Council of Governors (COG) Chair Ann Waiguru, Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza and Tharaka Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki at a thanksgiving service on April 23,2023. [Murithi Mugo,Standard]

Counties will be shut down in 14 days if money owed by the national government will not have been remitted, the Council of Governors (COG) has said.

In a meeting on Monday, COG said the National Treasury has not disbursed a total of sh94.35 billion owed to the counties for the last three months.

COG Chairperson Anne Waiguru has since notified the Kenyan citizens that County Governments will not deliver services as expected should the National Treasury fail to disburse the funds.

"The four month delay is unprecedented in the history of devolution and negates the spirit of the meeting held in Naivasha between His Excellency the Presidency and the Governors.

"We, therefore, call upon the CS National Treasury to immediately release the Sh 94.35 billion owed to County Governments without any further delay," said Waiguru.

The Council of Governors will hold a Devolution conference in August 15th to 19th in Uasin Gishu county.

The theme of the conference will be 10 years of devolution: The present and the future while the Sub-Theme will be Driving Transformation from the local level.

At the same time, the Council of Governors is planning the Children's Devolution Conference scheduled to take place from 3rd to 6th of July in Kiambu County.

The proposed Theme for the Children's Conference is "Empowering young voices: A Decade of Devolution and the Future of Children in Kenya."