Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said the government is committed to disbursement of funds to counties.
Speaking on Monday when he chaired the Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC) session at the official Residence in Karen, Nairobi, the DP said the Ruto Administration will make sure devolution works.
"I wish to emphasise our commitment to the timely disbursement of funds to counties. We are nearly up to date for December 2023," he said.
The IBEC asked the National Treasury to release the pending allocations and priority to be given to counties yet to receive theirs.
"The National Treasury has committed to clear December 2023 disbursements to Counties of sharable revenue within two weeks from the date of this meeting. Priority will be given to counties that had not received any allocation in January 2024," the statement said.
A Committee comprising the Council of Governors, the Commission on Revenue Allocation, the National Treasury and IBEC will be constituted to examine the equitable sharable revenue proposals for the financial year 2024/25 and be concluded within a week.
The CRA recommended Sh398.14 billion, the National Treasury proposed Sh391.1 billion while the Council of Governors proposed Sh439.5 billion as an equitable share to Counties for FY 2024/25.
Gachagua challenged the governors to settle the pending bills running into billions of shillings to enable the local economies to thrive.
"I strongly urge you to fast-track payments of Pending Bills. Indeed, we should not be having Pending Bills for the last Financial Year. Prompt payments for goods and services release funds to our business people, especially the hustlers, for a better economy," he said.
The DP chaired the 22nd Ordinary Session of IBEC bringing together his office, the Council of Governors and agencies tasked with ensuring smooth intergovernmental relations.
