This archive report was first published on 3 December 2019.
As the country marks seven years since the devolution of power to counties, it is disheartening to see these units struggling with financial woes once again.
At the heart of the crisis is the delayed disbursement of funds from the National Treasury, which has left hundreds of thousands of county employees without their November salaries.
According to reports, the delayed disbursement is attributed to the expiry of the acting Controller of Budget's tenure, which should have been foreseen and contingency plans put in place.
The Controller of Budget plays a critical role in approving the release of funds from the government's Consolidated Fund Services to various ministries, counties, and state agencies.
It is unacceptable that a substantive Controller of Budget was not appointed before the 90-day period lapsed on November 25, leaving counties financially exposed.
Kenya's counties have been plagued by several challenges, including their inability to generate their own revenue, leaving them reliant on the National Treasury for survival.
Corruption has also taken root, with cartels colluding with county operatives to loot public coffers.
It is time for counties to establish a foolproof system that enables a seamless disbursement of funds, ensuring that they can operate effectively and deliver services to their citizens.
