Treasury Finally Releases County Government Funds

Treasury has finally released Ksh 43.5 billion meant for counties just a day before the June 24th deadline set by the Council of Governors.

Council of Governors Chair Martin Wambora/ Photo Courtesy

Speaking to the media last week on Monday, June 14th, 2021, Embu Governor who is the sitting Council of Governor's Chair Martin Wambora revealed that the devolved units had not received money from the government for 6 months.

Operations in counties had almost ground to a halt with the national government having delayed disbursement of over Ksh 100 billion.

With the 2020/2021 financial year ending on June 30th, Governor Wambora chastised Treasury for failing to obey the constitution.

"The Treasury has not only failed to comply with the Constitution but also with its own document- cash disbursement schedule, 2020," he said.

Flanked by his Vice-Chair James Ongwae of Kisii, Governor Wambora threatened to shut down counties denying Kenyans across the country critical services such as healthcare.

The Ksh 43.5 billion disbursements only covers arrears up to April 2021 with the funds due for May and June set to be disbursed progressively.

In a statement released by Treasury announcing the disbursement of the funds, Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yattani urged counties to prioritise the payment of pending bills owed to suppliers.

Counties have pending bills in excess of Ksh 80 billion as was revealed by CS Yattani when he appeared before the Senate Finance and Budget Committee on Tuesday 15th June 2021.