Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong has told county staff to brace for tough times ahead if the Senate does not solve the Division of Revenue impasse that has threatened operations of the 47 counties.
The governor said counties have been put in an awkward situation by the Senate's inability to rescue the plight of Kenyans.
"My government will be able to pay employees the salary for September. If the status quo remains, by October, I will have no option but to have all departments including health, Roads and Water closed and employees ordered to go home," he said.
Ojaamong was addressing mourners at the burial of Mama Teresa Adeng'ero, 94, and Mama Sabela Ajilit Ojakapel, 96, in Teso North subcounty.
He said people want to see the fruits of devolution including drugs, water and better roads, "but the Senate is proving a stumbling block, thus the need for radical changes in the current laws to save Wanjiku".
He regretted that the county received last year's disbursement of Sh1 billion in June, which his government cannot spend until the preparation of a supplementary budget, noting that they have also not received any disbursement for this financial year.
"Where devolution has reached, only God knows. The senators are putting governors on a collision course with electorates. Busia would have benefitted from over Sh500 million had the first proposal gone through."
Mama Teresa was the mother of County Medical Services director Janerose Ambuchi and mother in-law to Reuben Olita of the Governor's Press.
Deputy Governor Moses Mulomi, Teso North MP Oku Kaunya, and CECs Moses Osia (Agriculture), Phaustine Barasa (Finance) attended among others.
Edited by R.Wamochie
