Ruto's Govt Goes Against Campaign Promise, Slashes County Allocation

President William Ruto campaigns atop a vehicle in Kakamega County on Sunday, July 31, 2022..jpg
President William Ruto campaigns atop a vehicle in Kakamega County on Sunday, July 31, 2022.
William Ruto

The government through National Treasury has allocated Ksh380 billion to county governments instead of Ksh425 billion recommended by the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA).

The amount not only negated on the recommendations of CRA but also President William Ruto’s campaign promise made in the run up to the August 2022 polls.

Ruto had promised that should he be elected president, he would increase county revenue allocation from the constitutionally mandated 15 per cent to 35 per cent.

Council of governors vice chair Ahmed Abdullahi, addresses the press on February 1, 2023, at Movenpick hotel in Nairobi flanked by Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa (left) and Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Junior (right).
Council of governors vice chair Ahmed Abdullahi, addresses the press on February 1, 2023, at Movenpick hotel in Nairobi flanked by Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa (left) and Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Junior (right).
The Standard

The pledge was communicated on January 24, 2022, during the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Parliamentary Group meeting held at his then-official Karen residence.

“We will amend the Budget Policy Statement in order to increase county allocations to 35 per cent of national revenue.

“This increment will increase resources to finance service delivery at the real bottom of the social-economic pyramid,” UDA’s statement read in part.

Speaking on Wednesday, February1, Council of Governors (CoG) deputy chair Ahmed Abdullahi protested that the national government had not given an explanation that necessitated the slashing.

The CoG deputy chair who is also Wajir Governor further complained that the budget ceilings for the national government ministries had not been rationalised to ensure key priority programmes which are fully devolved are allocated to counties in the equitable share of revenue.

“The CRA recommendations are obligatory and they cannot be disregarded without following guidelines set out by the Constitution in article 203(1).

The article outlines criteria that shall be considered in determining equitable shares between the national and county governments.

According to the article, the distribution must put into account the developmental and other needs of counties.

“In this regard, the Council of Governors expresses its discontent due to the National Treasury's failure to build consensus on the county equitable share of revenue despite the objective recommendations issued by the Commission on Revenue Allocation,” the governor stated while disagreeing with the allocation.

President William Ruto signs the Executive Orders at State House, Nairobi on Tuesday, September 13, 2022.
President William Ruto signs the Executive Orders at State House, Nairobi on Tuesday, September 13, 2022.
State House Kenya