This archive report was first published on 15 June 2021.
On June 15, 2021, Kenya's National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani assured the Senate Committee on Budget and Finance that the ministry would disburse Sh39 billion to counties by the end of the week.
This move comes a day after governors warned of a looming shutdown in counties due to delayed disbursements.
According to Yatani, some county governments are largely to blame for the unused billions in state and donor cash lying at the Central Bank of Kenya.
He appealed to the Senate Committee to help the Treasury address the issue, citing a situation where counties have money in their Rapid Credit Facility (RCF) Accounts but are not spending.
CoG Chairperson Governor Martin Wambora disputed Yatani's claims, stating that the balances referred to are monies already committed for ongoing/unfinished projects within the counties.
County governments had decried delayed disbursements, citing difficulties in funding critical expenses, including payrolls for healthcare workers, some of whom were on strike.
Wambora warned that if the National Treasury fails to release the funds, counties will not be able to offer basic services, forcing suspension of services or total shutdown by June 24.
