President William Ruto has given his approval to the County Governments Additional Allocations Bill, injecting a significant boost of Sh46 billion into the 2023/2024 financial year for counties.
The signing ceremony, held at State House, Nairobi, emphasized the government's commitment to supporting devolved administrations in fulfilling their mandates.
"We are continuously working towards making sure that whenever we have resources, they are shared between the two levels of governments equitably," Ruto asserted, underlining the administration's dedication to equitable resource distribution.
Acknowledging the collaborative effort, the President commended the Council of Governors (CoG) for withdrawing a petition that had previously hindered reaching a consensus.
"It is our collective decision to find ways of working together harmoniously, finding consensus on matters that are difficult and listening to one another," he affirmed, highlighting the importance of cooperation between the national and county governments.
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The ceremony witnessed the presence of key figures including Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Parliament Speakers Moses Wetangula and Amason Kingi, and Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguri, also the Chairperson of the CoG.
The County Governments Additional Allocations Bill, championed by Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, allocates Sh46 billion towards counties, with specific provisions aimed at addressing crucial development needs.
Notably, Sh450 million has been earmarked for the completion of county headquarters in Lamu, Isiolo, Nyandarua, Tharaka Nithi, and Tana River, where revenue shortfalls hindered progress.
Moreover, the legislation sets aside Sh5 billion for the subsidised fertiliser programme, underscoring the government's commitment to enhancing agricultural productivity.
President Ruto encouraged farmers to seize the opportunity to boost food production, emphasizing the importance of achieving food security domestically.
"Our aim is to progressively reduce and ultimately stop spending Sh500 billion the country uses annually to import food," Ruto outlined, highlighting the significance of promoting local agricultural initiatives.
This strategic shift aligns with broader objectives to strengthen the agricultural sector and reduce reliance on imports for staples like edible oils, rice, wheat, sugar, and maize.
In line with these efforts, President Ruto also praised county governments for their strides in revenue generation, emphasizing the importance of reducing dependency on the National Treasury.
He envisaged a future where counties can discharge their responsibilities effectively, fostering sustainable development across the nation.
The signing of the County Governments Additional Allocations Bill marks a significant milestone in the government's commitment to devolution, providing crucial financial support to empower counties in their developmental endeavours.
With a renewed focus on collaboration and equitable resource allocation, this initiative aims to bolster the efficiency and effectiveness of governance at both the national and county levels, driving progress and prosperity for all Kenyans.
