Gov't to disburse Ksh.32 billion to counties next week - DP Kindiki

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has revealed that the National Treasury will disburse an additional Ksh.32 billion to the county governments by Thursday, December 19, as part of their equitable share of revenue.

This followed an Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC) meeting chaired by Kindiki on Friday, also involving officials from the Ministry of Treasury, Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC), Judicial Service Commission (JSC), Commission on Revenue Allocation and Council of Governors.

The DP said that the funds would facilitate the arrears due for November 2024.  

"The National Treasury prioritizes disbursement of arrears accruing to the Equalization Fun," he said.

“The council appreciates the expedited action of the National Treasury of disbursing funds to county governments, and notes that an additional Ksh.32 billion is due to be disbursed to county governments on Thursday by 19th December, 2024 being the amount due for November 2024. Further, the National Treasury prioritizes disbursement of arrears accruing to the Equalization Fund,” he said.

Other resolutions arrived at the meeting included the need for DP Kindiki to hold a high-level meeting with both levels of government to address several issues raised.

These are the Integrated County Revenue Management System (ICRMS) for revenue collection, as well as a mechanism to isolate donor funds and secure their disbursement to counties. 

Also, the DP will be required to push for the County Government's Additional Allocations Bill that is before Parliament.

"Guided by the spirit of collaboration and coordination, and the need to minimize bureaucracy in service delivery, the Chairperson of the IBEC has called on all devolution stakeholders to work in harmony, devoid of undue bureaucracy for purposes of efficient service delivery to the citizens," read a subsequent statement to newsrooms.

IEBC members hold meetings to discuss with policy makers about key factors that shape business conditions and drive economic growth.