National Treasury has finally disbursed Sh31.45 billion to counties following a threat from governors to shut down the devolved units.

Council of Governors (CoG) chairperson Anne Waiguru said the February funds were released after they issued a strike notice last week.

Waiguru, who spoke yesterday at the CoG headquarters in Nairobi, however, said the national government still owes counties Sh29.6 billion for March.

“We have agreed with the National Treasury that they will be prompt in ensuring timely disbursements to counties. Additionally, it has been resolved that March allocations be disbursed on 15th May and for April be released by the end of this month,” she said.

Waiguru said the council also agreed with the Treasury that disbursements for May and June be issued by the first two weeks of June to allow counties to absorb the resources within the financial year.

“We have agreed to explore short-term measures aimed at cushioning counties to ensure continuity in service delivery as well as prevent industrial unrest,” she said.

At the same time, Waiguru said CoG had formed a 10-member team to engage President William Ruto and Opposition leader Raila Odinga with the aim of ending the ongoing political standoff. “The Council of Governors prides itself in being a non-partisan institution that speaks in one voice,” said Waiguru.

Children’s conference

She announced the committee would  be chaired by Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka and  comprise of herself and governors Ahmed Abdullahi (Wajir), Fatuma Achani (Kwale), Simba Arati (Kisii), Joseph ole Lenku (Kajiado), Wavinya Ndeti (Machakos) and Ochillo Ayacko (Migori).

The council also announced that preparations were in high gear ahead of the biennial devolution conference.

The first biennial summit will be held in Uasin Gishu County between August 16-19.

“The conference will adopt a break-away session format. Proposed sessions include urban development, affirmative action, natural resources management, health, agriculture and trade,” the COG said in a statement.

At the same time, the CoG is planning a Children’s Devolution Conference scheduled to take place from July 3 to 6 in Kiambu County whose theme is: Empowering young voices: A Decade of Devolution and the Future of Children in Kenya.

Elsewhere, Siaya Governor James Orengo has called for a thorough audit of the government in the wake of financial challenges that have seen a delay in disbursement of funds to counties.

Speaking after presiding over the distribution of subsidised fish feed to farmers, Orengo said his administration had been paying workers despite the challenges.

“Despite everything, we have not failed to pay salaries,” he said adding that when he took over, there were problems with salaries payment and non-remittance of statutory deductions and he had to intervene to sort out the mess.