This archive report was first published on 13 December 2019.
On December 13, 2019, the Council of Governors expressed its opposition to the National Treasury's decision to delay the disbursement of funds to counties.
The move, which affects 18 counties, is seen as an attempt to withhold funding over pending bills.
According to Council of Governors chair Wycliffe Oparanya, the Treasury did not take into account historical debts, which has led to operations in most counties being brought to a halt.
Operations and service delivery in the counties are at their lowest due to financial constraints.
West Pokot Governor Prof John Lonyangapuo has also criticized the move, stating that some of the bills belonged to the previous regimes.
He defended his county, saying there was no proper inquiry on the status of the projects leading to the accrued debts.
President Uhuru Kenyatta had previously issued a directive for County Governments to clear pending bills to contractors and suppliers to improve government performance.
