Senators have urged the national government to prioritize the timely release of county funds to ensure devolution succeeds and accelerates grassroots development. The call follows growing concerns that delays in disbursing these funds are crippling county operations and hindering the delivery of vital public services.
Senator Godfrey Osotsi, who chairs the Senate County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee, expressed alarm over the financial strain on devolved units due to the National Treasury’s withholding of funds. Although the Senate approves county disbursement schedules promptly, funds are often delayed for months, severely affecting key sectors such as health, water, agriculture, and infrastructure.
Speaking during a supervisory tour of Msambweni Referral Hospital in Kwale County, Senator Osotsi noted that these delays were causing significant disruptions to services millions of Kenyans rely on. He stated, “The Senate has diligently approved disbursement schedules, yet counties are left struggling, deprived of funds for months. This is unacceptable and must be addressed urgently.”
Osotsi also criticized the National Assembly for failing to approve additional allocations to bolster county operations. He argued that MPs have prioritized funding for national road projects over devolved governance, which he said harms citizens’ welfare.
“The spirit of devolution must be protected,” he emphasized. “As the Senate, we are doing our part, and I urge the National Assembly to ensure devolved units are adequately resourced to serve our people.”
The senator further called on the National Treasury to expedite county disbursements and honour the constitutional mandate to bring services closer to the people. He warned that continued delays could stall development projects, trigger industrial unrest among county workers, and fuel public dissatisfaction.
Senator Raphael Chimera of Kwale County echoed Osotsi’s sentiments, stressing a critical need for timely funding to ensure counties can meet budgetary obligations and plan future development initiatives. Delays in funding, Chimera argued, are stalling key projects aimed at improving health, education, infrastructure, and agriculture.
“Counties have ambitious plans to transform citizens’ lives through investments in these sectors, but delayed funding remains a major setback,” said Chimera. “The National Treasury must prioritize county allocations to ensure uninterrupted service delivery.”
Chimera also urged Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale to strengthen the Social Health Authority (SHA) system to improve service delivery in health facilities nationwide. Additionally, he recommended that counties adopt digital technologies to enhance operational efficiency, transparency, and accountability in public service sectors.
