The Council of Governors (COG) has slammed Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over claims that the national government has disbursed El Nino funds to counties.
In a statement on Wednesday November 22, COG chairperson Anne Waiguru said the devolved units are yet to receive any allocation towards mitigating the El Nino rains.
“We note with concern public utterances that suggest that County Governments have received funds from the National Government to support the mitigation of the devastating impact of the El Nino Rains,” Waiguru stated.
She added, “We take the position that such utterances are against the spirit of cooperative and collaborative Governments as envisioned under the provisions of Article 6(2) of the Constitution.”
The Kirinyaga Governor noted that the national government owes counties a total of Kshs. 62.58 billion from the equitable share.
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“13 counties are owed Kshs.10.17 billion for the month of September, 27 counties are owed Kshs. 19.64 billion for the month of October and; Finally, all counties are owed, Kshs. 32.76 billion for the month of November,” Waiguru stated.
The COG chairperson further called on the national government to work together with the county governments in order to intensify response strategies to mitigate against the complex risks arising from the heavy rains and flooding.
DP Gachagua on Tuesday alleged that counties had received Sh10 billion to mitigate the impact of the rains.
"We have disbursed over Sh10 billion to Counties," Gachagua said while urging Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir to utilize the funds to help the people of Mombasa who have been hard hit by the rains.
The second in command however made a u-turn on Wednesday morning saying he is shocked to see Governors complaining that they had not received El Nino funds.
"We are shocked to see governors complaining that they are yet to receive money for El Nino from the national government; such money is not coming. We expect them to use emergency money within their financial provision or reallocate money within their budget to intervene for the people they govern," said Gachagua.