Relief to counties as Uhuru releases funds

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday signed into law the County Allocation of Revenue Amendment Bill which will now see treasury disburse funds to the devolved units.

The new law will set out the accurate conditional allocations to county governments of the KSh.345 billion approved for the devolved units that was to begin in the 2017/18 financial year.

President Kenyatta said the disbursement of funds will enable county governments undertake their responsibilities and deliver on their mandate.

“The national government is committed in ensuring devolution succeeds and will continue to facilitate county governments to deliver on their mandate,” he said.

This will see an end to the six-month delay in the disbursement of the funds to the counties which has seen the devolved units grapple with hard times marked by disruption of essential services and non-payment of salaries.

Counties have not received monthly allocations dating back to the month of July 2017 when the 2017/18 financial year came into effect.

This, despite the Public Finance Act providing that National Treasury disburse funds to the counties on a monthly basis or no later than the 15^th day of the month.

Part of the delay, it was reported, involved amendments being made to the County Allocation of Revenue Act, with the changes passing through the Senate and the National Assembly before being forwarded to the President for his assent.