CoG chair Waiguru calls for speedy release of county funds

County governments have called on the national government to put in place mechanisms that will ensure swift disbursement of funds to the devolved units.

Council of governor chair Ann Waiguru on Friday said this will go a long way in resolving the cash crunch that has for long hit the counties and affected the delivery of services.

Waiguru however remained positive that the Kenya Kwanza government will be more efficient and will not occasion delays as compared to the previous regime.

She reiterated that counties need the funds to implement their agendas which they pledged to wananchi during the campaign period.

She said in the month of September, Kirinyaga county is yet to receive its share which is key in undertaking development projects and paying county staff.

"We are hopeful that the current government through its nominee will fast-track the process for the disbursement of county funds so as to ease the suffering and ensure efficiency in the running of businesses across the counties," she said.

Waiguru spoke Friday during the governor's address at the Kirinyaga county assembly in Kerugoya.

In her speech, Waiguru thanked the people of Kirinyaga for re-electing her as she affirmed to them that her administration will not fail them but will scale up development projects across the county.

Among the projects, she pledged to bolster is the Wezesha economic empowerment project which through various value chains like poultry, dairy horticulture, and avocado among others has economically impacted 50,000 households.

As a way of fetching quality produce and subsequent high returns, the governor further noted that the county government managed to lobby for over 25,000 bags of subsidized fertilizers which are currently being distributed by the county extension officers.

While enumerating her first-term projects, the governor further pledged that her administration will this term put up a tomato processing plant and a rice husk factory that will secure produce for both tomatoes and rice farmers.

On health, the governor noted that her administration will finalize the construction of the Kerugoya ultra-modern hospital which is in its final phase.

Moreover, she pledged that her administration will in the next 100 days be automating the operations of the main hospital with an aim to improve efficiency and reduce paperwork.

She at the same time pledged to roll out other progressive initiatives that will steer the county forward.

These are among others construction of an industrial park and affordable housing units.

In equal measure, Waiguru said that her administration would be putting up fuel pumps across all sub-counties that would sell fuel at subsidized prices.

She said this would ease the sufferings of motorists more so the bodaboda riders.

At the same time, the county chief promised to implement an electricity generating project in the county in a bid to reduce the high electricity cost.

Waiguru appealed to the assembly to work hand in hand with the executive in a bid to ensure a smooth implementation of the services.

On their end, MCAs promised to support the governor in her agenda as they hailed her development plan.