Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has lauded the National Treasury for timely disbursement of funds to counties saying the government is keeping its promise of no delayed payments to ensure the counties serve the people without financial challenges.
Prof. Kindiki stated that the government has released all the monthly payments up to August leaving no pending allocations thus enabling the 47 devolved units to fund their activities.
“I am happy to note that, despite the fiscal constraints we are facing as a country, the National Treasury disbursed all the amounts due to County Governments as part of the equitable share by the close of the financial year. We have also released July and August allocations. This demonstrates the commitment of Kenya Kwanza to support Devolution,” DP said.
The Deputy President on Monday chaired the 30th Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC) Ordinary Session at the Official Residence in Karen, Nairobi where he acknowledged efforts by Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, who was in attendance, towards faster disbursement of the allocations.
In line with this, the DP also appreciated Parliament for the quick passage of the Division of Revenue Bill, 2026 and the County Allocation of Revenue Bill, 2026 that have both been enacted paving the way for the quick release of the allocation which has risen to 428 billion shillings this financial year.
Prof. Kindiki said the achievements have been possible because of interventions made by IBEC, which he chairs.
“We have made significant progress in most of our resolutions. This demonstrates that IBEC is increasingly becoming a results-oriented institution, where decisions are followed through and translated into interventions that benefit our citizens,” he noted.
At the same time, the DP called on the counties to focus more on the completion of County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs) which he reiterated will boost the country’s quest to become an industrialized nation.
He said CAIPs in seven counties: Embu, Meru, Kirinyaga, Kisii, Wajir, Garissa and Migori are nearing completion challenging other counties to follow suit.
“As we look for a vision Kenya Beyond 2030, CAIPS are the centre of the realization of the vision. They are the first step to industrialization. If we want to create an industrialized nation, CAIPs are crucial in value addition and aggregation,” DP emphasized.
With the expected El Nino rains between October and December this year, the Second in Command said the national government, in collaboration with the counties, is putting in place preventive measures to avert losses and destruction.
“I urge all county governments to urgently activate their disaster preparedness and response plans, clear and maintain drainage systems, identify and protect vulnerable communities, pre-position essential supplies, strengthen emergency response teams and coordinate closely with national agencies.
We must act now, before the rains begin, to safeguard lives, livelihoods, infrastructure and essential services,” DP stated.
Further, the DP praised the governors for supporting the implementation of the affordable housing programme through provision of land where most of the projects are being done.
“I appreciate the cooperation between the Ministry of Lands, the Council of Governors, County Governments and other relevant agencies. We must sustain this collaboration until all outstanding land-related matters are resolved and projects can proceed without unnecessary administrative delays,” he said.
Council of Governors Chairman Ahmed Abdullahi said they are in support of constructive engagements through IBEC that would take the country forward.
“We remain committed to constructive engagements with the national government through IBEC. We want to discuss and resolve all issues amicably,” he said.
