The Council of Governors has accused Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of misleading the country that the national government had disbursed to counties Sh10 billion for El Niño preparedness and mitigation.

In a statement read by COG chairperson Ane Waiguru, the irate governors of the 47 counties denied receiving any El Niño monies from the President William Ruto administration as alleged by Gachagua.

“To date, we wish to state that the County Governments have not received any allocation from the National Government to go towards mitigation measures,” said Waigiuru.

She accused the government of failing to release Sh10.17 billion owed to 13 counties for September, Sh19.64 billion owed to 27 counties for October and Sh32.76 billion owed to all counties for November.

“As a matter of fact, counties are owed a total of Sh62.58 Billion from the equitable share that is yet to be disbursed,” she stated.

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The Kirinyaga governor blasted the DP over his remarks made during the 40th ICPAK Annual Seminar in Mombasa on Tuesday and instead called for closer collaboration between the two levels of government.

“We take the position that such utterances are against the spirit of cooperative and collaborative Governments as envisioned under the provisions of Article 6(2) of the Constitution.

“In such times we call upon the two levels of Government to come together in order to intensify response strategies to mitigate against the complex risks arising from the heavy rains and flooding in addition to the existing humanitarian challenges.”

Earlier this year, Kenya Meteorological Department projected that most parts of Kenya would witness heavy rainfall with resultant floods expected to continue into January 2024 and called for preparations.

Back in September, Gachagua who was addressing stakeholders in Karen on El Nino preparedness, said the national government would require at least Sh10 billion to manage possible effects of El Niño rains.

At the time, Waiguru said governors would set aside Sh15 billion for food support to affected households before the national government started issuing contradicting statements on the onset of heavy rainfall.