Former Kiambu governor William Kabogo now wants the Treasury to allocate more funds to counties in order to propel the economic growth and empowerment programmes.
His sentiments come as the 6th Devolution Conference (DEVCON) is taking place in Kirinyaga county where dozens of delegates from National and County Governments are in attendance.
This year’s theme is ‘Deliver, Transform and Measure’. The topics of discussion will include trade, agriculture, and manufacturing that seeks to promote value addition to products, whilst creating employment opportunities for the country’s working-age population.
Kabogo noted that devolution had brought more blessings to the grassroots level as service delivery had been enhanced and improved.
The former county boss added that the devolved system of governance had activated counties that for decades were referred to be dormant or arid and semi-arid.
“I would like to urge the Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich and Controller of Budget to increase funding of the counties to ensure Kenyans enjoy services at their convenience,” Kabogo highlighted.
He further divulged that the distribution of resources should be based on the population noting that some counties were receiving less money despite having a high population.
For instance, those in North-Eastern regions get more funding than Kiambu or Murang'a, despite the Central area counties having a higher population.
“We have the progress or success of the devolution, Kenyans have been transformed through improved service delivery but let accountability of the resources be our driver for our common goal of realisation of Uhuru’s big 4 agenda and realisation of vision 2030,” he indicated.
He also urged governors not to misuse funds meant for development.
Council of Governors Vice chairman, who is also Murang'a Governor Mwangi Wairia, had earlier highlighted that the Devolution Conference would build on last year’s conference in Kakamega.
“The conference will allow the government and stakeholders to discuss their achievements in devolution and the Big Four agenda,” Wairia stated.
During the 5th Conference at Kakamega in 2018, President Uhuru Kenyatta lauded the success of the devolution.
Uhuru praised governors for their endless efforts in initiating sustainable programmes noting more than Ksh1 trillion had been transferred to counties for development.
President Uhuru attended the conference and addressed more than 6000 delegates from different sectors; both government and private sectors.
