El Niño Rains Expose Rift Between Kenya’s National and County Governments
The Council of Governors (CoG), representing Kenya’s 47 county governments, has taken issue with recent statements by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua regarding the national government’s financial support for El Niño mitigation efforts.
CoG Chair Ann Waiguru categorically denied Gachagua’s assertion that the central government had disbursed 10 billion shillings to counties for El Niño relief. She emphasized that county governments are, in fact, owed up to 62 billion shillings in regular county allocations, which have been delayed by the national government for three months.
Waiguru’s statements underscore the ongoing tensions between the national and county governments over resource allocation and financial autonomy. The CoG has repeatedly expressed frustration with the central government’s interference in county affairs, particularly in matters of budgeting and expenditure.
The El Niño rains have further exacerbated these tensions, as county governments struggle to cope with the increased demand for services and infrastructure repairs without adequate funding. The CoG’s denial of Gachagua’s claims highlights the lack of transparency and coordination between the two levels of government in addressing the El Niño crisis.
Professor Njuguna Ndungu, Minister of State Treasury, attempted to deflect criticism by assuring that the treasury has sufficient funds to support county governments. However, his statement did little to assuage the CoG’s concerns about the delayed allocation of funds and the overall financial relationship between the two levels of government.
In addition to financial grievances, the CoG also objected to Gachagua’s public criticism of some governors’ handling of the El Niño response. The CoG called for a more cooperative approach between the national and county governments, emphasizing the need for unified efforts to address the El Niño crisis.
The ongoing rift between the national and county governments poses significant challenges to Kenya’s ability to effectively respond to the El Niño rains and other natural disasters. The CoG’s demands for financial transparency, autonomy, and cooperation underscore the need for a more collaborative approach to governance in Kenya.
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