Nandi County Governor Stephen Sang has strongly criticized the National Assembly for passing a bill last week that significantly reduced the amount of conditional grants allocated to counties from development partners, cutting the funds by a staggering KSh 25 billion. Governor Sang expressed his shock and dismay at the move, which he believes undermines the development efforts at the county level, particularly in critical sectors such as health, education, and climate action.
The funds in question had been negotiated by county governments with various development partners, aimed at supporting key county programs. Governor Sang emphasized that these grants were vital to the implementation of various projects that directly benefit local communities. He urged members of the National Assembly to reconsider their decision and allow the resources allocated by development partners to be released as per the normal conditional allocation process.
"It is a shock to me, as a governor, that the National Assembly last week approved a bill that slashed the amount of conditional grants from our development partners by a whooping KSh 25 billion," Governor Sang said during a press briefing. "These are funds that have been identified and allocated specifically for critical sectors like health, education, and climate action. These resources are not for us as county governments, they are for our people."
The funds had been negotiated to support various county programs aimed at improving the well-being of citizens. In Nandi County, the funds were earmarked for the enhancement of the health sector, the expansion of educational infrastructure, and initiatives to address climate change. These programs are crucial for the overall development of the county and ensuring that local communities have access to essential services and opportunities.
Governor Sang has called on members of the National Assembly to stop "being petty" and allow the development partners’ resources to flow freely into county programs. He condemned the decision as "unnecessary" and "ill-intended," noting that the reduction in these grants would directly hinder the county’s ability to carry out its development programs effectively.
"Let us not play politics with resources that have been identified by our partners to help us improve the lives of our people," Governor Sang continued. "What you are doing, in reducing these funds, is not only uncalled for but also sets back the progress we’ve been making in critical sectors. We need these resources, and we ask the National Assembly to stop playing games with the livelihoods of our people."
The Governor’s remarks reflect a growing frustration among county governments, which have increasingly relied on development partner support to meet the growing demands of their populations. Counties have been working hard to attract funds for various programs, but the decision by the National Assembly to cut these funds undermines those efforts.
Governor Sang emphasized that the grants from development partners were already earmarked for specific programs and projects in the counties. The reduction of these funds not only disrupts those plans but also puts a strain on the already limited resources at the county level.
"It’s not just about Nandi County," Governor Sang said. "This is about counties across Kenya that are working hard to improve the lives of their people. These grants are a lifeline for us, and the decision to cut them by such a large amount is a huge setback for all of us."
The Governor called for an urgent dialogue between county governments and the National Assembly to ensure that resources from development partners are allowed to flow smoothly into county programs, without unnecessary interference. He urged the National Assembly to prioritize the needs of the people in the counties and allow these crucial funds to be released as intended.
"This is not the time for petty politics. The people we serve need these resources. The grants are meant to support the very programs that will improve health outcomes, expand educational opportunities, and help us address the pressing issue of climate change," he concluded.
Governor Sang’s comments reflect the growing concern among county leaders that political decisions made at the national level are increasingly impacting the ability of counties to carry out their mandates and improve the lives of their citizens. The Governor has vowed to continue advocating for the release of these funds, urging the National Assembly to reconsider its stance and work collaboratively with counties to achieve the development goals set out for the country.
#NandiCounty #GovernorStephenSang #DevelopmentGrants #NationalAssembly #ConditionalGrants #CountyDevelopment #KenyaPolitics #CountyGovernment #DevelopmentPartners
0 $type={facebook}:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.