President Kenyatta launches Ksh 6 billion Equalization Fund

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Friday launched a Ksh 6 billion Equalization Fund to uplift disadvantaged counties that have lagged behind in development.

The Ksh 6 billion allocated to the Fund for this financial year amounts to 0.8 per cent of the last audited revenues approved by the National Assembly – a notable improvement on the minimum constitutional requirement of 0.5 per cent.

“We plan to continue exceeding the minimum requirement until we compensate for the time that has lapsed without the Fund,” said President Kenyatta.

He disclosed that under the Fund, counties in the Arid and Semi Arid (ASAL) regions will receive between Ksh 185 million and Ksh 650 million this financial year.

The Head of State, who was accompanied by Deputy President William Ruto, spoke when he opened the Pastoralists’ Leadership Summit at the Samburu Simba Lodge in Isiolo County.

The summit whose theme was ‘Devolved Governance: A call for more Effective Public Participation and Political Action in Pastoralist Areas’, brought together leaders from Isiolo, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Marsabit, Turkana, West Pokot, Baringo, Laikipia, Samburu, Tana River, Lamu, Kajiado and Narok counties.

President Kenyatta expressed confidence that with proper co-ordination and administration, the Equalization Fund will spark a wave of public investment that will hasten development in the pastoralist counties and ensure equity in national development.

“With the money available, I urge local leaders to immediately begin leveraging the funds to cater to basic community needs in your respective counties and create meaningful change among your constituents,” said the Head of State.

“In word and deed, my Administration has demonstrated unwavering commitment to investing in regions traditionally disadvantaged,” he added.

The President also announced that a Livestock Marketing Authority will be established in the 2016/2017 financial year to help the pastoralist communities reap maximum profit from the sale of their animals.

“We will allocate money in the 2016/2017 financial year to make the Authority operational,” the President said.

While assuring the pastoralist communities of his support, the President challenged leaders to change their mindset and thinking positively.

“Let us stop negative thinking. Let us think of what we need to do to improve the lives of our people. Let us say marginalisation is a thing of the past,” the President urged leaders attending the summit.

He reaffirmed his Government’s commitment to ensuring that devolution succeeds by empowering county governments to undertake initiatives that spur development.

The President observed that funding to counties is increased each year, maintaining a level of financing that is above the minimum constitutional requirement.

“In the last financial year, counties received a total of Ksh 294 billion. Between 2013 and 2016, we devolved Ksh 168.2 billion to our arid and semi-arid regions,” said President Kenyatta.

President Kenyatta underscored the importance of security in development, saying that is why his administration has invested heavily in enhanced security.

He urged leaders to work together with the security agencies in ensuring that their areas are safe at all times.

“I ask you to join me and my Government in protecting the lives and property of Kenyans. We are all in this together and we will win this war only if we stand together,” he said.

Deputy President Ruto thanked President Kenyatta for mainstreaming the development of pastoralist regions in the national agenda.

He pointed out that it is during President Kenyatta’s leadership that devolution has been rolled out effectively benefiting counties that were previously marginalised.

“Pastoralist communities are now part and parcel of the transformation of Kenya,” said the Deputy President.

Other speakers included the Summit’s President and Mandera Senator Billow Kerrow, the Summit’s Patron and Senator Speaker Ekwe Ethuro and Isiolo Governor Godana Doyo among others.