A raw is brewing between the government and counties after governors called for the release of conditional grants directly to the devolved units.
Tharaka Nithi governor Muthomi Njuki says the funds should not be channeled through the department of public works, as is the case.
This, he said, will cure the issue of bureaucracies related to the processing of the funds that have slowed down development projects.
"What is so unique about public works that they have to not only supervise but also take part in ensuring that they are the ones who appropriate the money and give out certificates?" Njuki posed.
"Your guess is as good as mine. That is why there is a classroom that CDF constructs using Sh700 million but public works will do it at Sh2.5 billion."
The governor said that just how like the health conditional grants are released directly to counties, so should all other funds.
"Seven years down the line if a building was to cost Sh360 million, what is the cost of that building today? The value of materials has gone up, the dollar exchange rates have changed, and so many more," he said.
Njuki cited projects by at least five counties to construct headquarters that have not been completed since 2015.
The projects are in Lamu, Nyandarua, Tana River, Isiolo and Tharaka Nithi.
The projects were allocated conditional grants by the national government with the money going through the department of public works.
The governor regretted that taxpayers could lose the value of such money unless the national government agrees to release funds directly to county governments.
