- Some 34 counties will be racing against time to spend Sh13.89 billion in the next 50 days after senators approved equitization funds meant to spur development in marginalized areas.
- Last Thursday, the lawmakers passed the Equalization Fund (Appropriations) Bill, 2023 that authorizes the counties to spend the cash.
Image: SENATE
Some 34 counties will be racing against time to spend Sh13.89 billion in the next 50 days after senators approved funds to spur development in marginalised areas.
Last Thursday, the lawmakers passed the Equalisation Fund (Appropriations) Bill, 2023 that authorizes the counties to spend the cash.
The bill now awaits President William Ruto’s assent before funds are made available to the devolved units.
The bill details how the 34 counties will share the funds to develop areas identified as marginalised within the devolved units.
Initially, the funds were meant for 14 least developed counties, especially those in the arid and semi-arid areas.
But the Commission on Revenue Allocation changed the formula and expanded the number of beneficiary counties to 34.
“The Equalisation Fund Secretariat may issue the sum Sh13.89 billion being allocation for 2021-22 and 2022-23, out of the Equalisation Fund and apply it towards the supply granted for the service of the year ending on the June 30, 2023,” the bill states.
This implies that the devolved units have until June 30 to spend the cash.
In the new criteria, the commission identified for funding locations and sublocations across the counties that are marginalised .
The Equalisation Fund is provided for under Article 204 of the Constitution to provide basic services including water, roads, health facilities and electricity to marginalised areas.
The article provides that 0.5 per cent of all revenue collected by the national government would be allocated to the fund.
Since its establishment, the fund entitlement stands at Sh54.03 billion but only Sh26.29 billion has been allocated and Sh12.40 billion disbursed in 2018.
“This bill therefore proposes a legal framework for the issuance of monies out of the Equalisation Fund to counties in which marginalised areas fall for the provision of crucial basic services,” it states.
According to the bill, the areas and counties set to benefit from the funds include four constituencies in Baringo which will get a total of Sh800.28 million.
Areas earmarked for development are Bartabwa, Barwessa and Saimo in Baringo North, Ilchamus, Mochongoi and Mukutani in Baringo South, Emining and Kisanana in Mogotio; and Churo, Kollowa, Loiyamorok, Ribkwo, Silale, Tangulbei and Tirioko in Tiaty.
Chepalungu constituency in Bomet will get Sh25.84 million to implement development projects in Nyangores, Chebunyo and Sigor areas.
In Bungoma, Mt Elgon constituency will get Sh79.05 million to implement development in Chepyuk, Elgon and Kapkateny.
Budalang'i and Teso North constituencies in Busia will receive a total of Sh24.18 million to do development in Bunyala South, Angurai South and Malaba North areas.
In Elgeyo Marakwet, Keiyo South and Marakwet East will receive Sh87.57 million to improve roads, water and health services in Embobut, Endo, Kapyego, Sambirir and Lelan.
All the six constituencies in Garissa will get Sh848.54 million. They are Balambala, Dadaab, Fafi, Garissa Township, Ijara and Lagdera.
Among the areas earmarked for development in the county Danyere, Jarajara, Saka, Sankuri, Fafi, Liboi, Banane, Goreale, Sangailu, Dertu, Bura, Dekaharia and Nanighi.
In Homa Bay, Homa Bay Town, Suba North and Suba South will get a total of Sh176.99 million.
In Isiolo, Isiolo North and Isiolo South will get Sh223.47 million while Kajiado South and Kajiado West will receive Sh557.84 million,
In Kericho, Bureti, Kipkelion West and Sigoet/Soin will get Sh81.88 million.
Ganze, Kaloleni, Kilifi North, Magarini, Rabai and Malindi constituencies in Kilifi will get Sh726.13 million.
In Kisumu; Muhoroni and Nyando will get Sh32.72 million while Kitui South, Kitui East, Mwingi Central and Mwingi North in Kitui will receive Sh534.59 million,
In Kwale, Kinango, Lunga Lunga, Matuga and Mswambweni will get Sh393.51 million while Laikipia North and Laikipia West consistencies in Laikipia will receive Sh160.45 million for two constituencies.
Other counties that will benefit from the funds are Lamu (Sh77.48 million), Machakos (Sh17.38 million), Mandera (1.01 billion) and Marsabit (Sh631.65 million).
Meru (Sh40.24 million), Muranga (Sh7.63 million), Nakuru (Sh8.65 million), Narok (Sh1.03 billion) and Samburu (Sh873.80 million), Tana River (Sh594.63 million) and Tharaka Nithi (Sh59.18 million).
Others are Siaya (Sh43.00 million), Taita Taveta (Sh17.93 million), Trans Nzoia (Sh10.05 million), Turkana (Sh1.53 billion), Wajir (Sh982.03 million) and West Pokot (Sh1.37 billion).