The national government has been asked to expedite the full transfer of functions meant for the devolved units.
Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa said this will ensure the counties run properly.
He noted that the national government continues to manage tasks in agriculture, infrastructure and health sectors worth Sh275 million.
“As governors, we believe that the national government is continuously involved in executing county functions. You see ministries being involved in water and road projects that belong to counties,” he said.
Agriculture, for example, he said, holds onto 41 functions valued at Sh105 billion while Transport has 51 accounting for Sh51 billion, education has 52 elements and tourism and wildlife have functions valued at Sh31 billion.
He made the remarks during a seminar at the Institute for Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) in Mombasa.
“The national government has no business procuring fertiliser yet agriculture is a devolved function...it is paying Community Health Promoters because primary healthcare is properly devolved,” the governor said.
He further faulted the national government over a proposal to incorporate the committee chaired by the Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury to approve proposals on tax collections by counties from their own sources.
“This is totally unacceptable because it is outright interference with devolution that has been under threat since its inception,” Barasa said.
Former Senator Billow Kerrow noted that the rising cost of living has been occasioned by what he termed poor governance.
“Bad governance leads to wrong policies, misplaced priorities, and corruption. This cost of living challenge is also because of high taxes and high cost of power. Most of them are related to this issue of governance,” Kerrow said.
This comes amidst a clash between the national government and county governors over the release of funds meant for El Nino rains.
Last week, Council of Governors Chairperson Anne Waiguru faulted Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for alleging that the devolved units had received the funds.
“To date we wish to state that counties have not received any allocation from the national government to go towards mitigation matters. We are owed Sh62.58 billion equitable share that is yet to be disbursed,” Waiguru said.
