This archive report was first published on 5 June 2020.
As the current financial year draws to a close in 27 days, the Council of Governors (CoG) has demanded the immediate release of Sh76 billion owed to counties by the national government.
CoG chairman Governor Wycliffe Oparanya stated that the exchequer had only disbursed Sh240 billion of the Sh316 billion allocated to counties, leaving a balance of Sh76 billion outstanding.
The lack of disbursement has caused delays in staff salaries, Governor Oparanya said, adding that counties in the Western and North Rift regions are experiencing floods, leading to population displacement and increased risk of water-borne diseases and malaria.
CoG has also called for trucks to be stopped from leaving the port of Mombasa until the backlog at the border points is cleared, citing the congestion at the Malaba border where trucks stretch up to Luandeti, spanning across three counties of Busia, Bungoma, and Kakamega.
“We call upon the president to intervene in this matter and propose that no more trucks should be allowed to leave the port of Mombasa until the backlog at the border points is cleared,” Governor Oparanya said.
Furthermore, CoG has decried the increase in incidents of police brutality while enforcing the curfew, with Governor Oparanya stating that governors and other elected leaders will continue to engage the Ministry of Interior and IPOA to ensure justice for the victims of police brutality.
