Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya has slammed the National Treasury over the delayed disbursement of funds to the county governments, which he has termed as unconstitutional.
Speaking during a press briefing on Tuesday, April 30, the Governor claimed that the treasury, led by the Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, should ensure swift disbursement of funds to the devolved units in the same way it does to the national government. According to Natembeya, the county governments have only received two rounds of disbursement meant for this year, instead of four. "There is a lot of delay in disbursing funds to the county governments, and according to the government's financial calendar, there should be no other commitments. As of now, we are starting to receive funds that were meant for the second month," he said.
Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya speaking before the Senate County Public Investment and Special Funds Committee Photo Parliament of Kenya "The Treasury is breaking the law because every month it should disburse the money to county governments before the fifteenth, but we are receiving funds meant for February this month," he stated.
According to Natembeya, the delay has significantly dented the county government's ability to pay workers and also take care of other critical sectors, such as health, a situation that has forced them to look for other unsustainable options, such as borrowing from banks. "It has now forced countries to go and borrow money from the banks and pay interest rates that are not in the budget, and you find that we are unable to provide good service to the government," he stated.
