President Uhuru Kenyatta today signed into law the 2020/2021 County Revenue Allocation Bill at State House Nairobi paving the way for the disbursement of exchequer funds to the counties.
The new law allocates a sum of Sh369.87 billion in the current fiscal year to counties and includes Sh316.5 billion of Equitable Share and Sh13.73 billion in Government of Kenya Conditional Grants.
Also included is Sh9.43 billion from the Road Maintenance/Fuel Levy as well as Sh30.2 billion in Loans and Grants.
The conditional allocation will be utilized in provision of services such as leasing of medical equipment and rehabilitation of youth polytechnics across all the 47 counties.
The Bill was presented to the Head of State for signature by Speaker of the Senate Ken Lusaka at a ceremony attended by Speaker of the National Assembly Justin Muturi and Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yattani.
Counties have been facing financial difficulties after a stalemate at the Senate concenring the allocation dragged on for too long.
In September, chairman of Council of Governors (CoG) and Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya said that Counties would shut down operations, mid month, as they were unable to run.
“It is unfortunate that County Governments are unable to even pay the salaries and allowances of our health workers who remain in the frontline to save lives of Kenyans during the current situation. In this regard, if the prevailing situation persists, effective September 17 Counties will have no choice but to shut down. Therefore all County Government services will not be available in the Counties. Consequently, we shall release all county employees to proceed on leave until an amicable solution on the issue is reached,” he said on 3rd September.
The CoG chariman also warned the senate with a dissolution
“We hereby forewarn the Senate that a Petition for its dissolution can be initiated by any member of the public through the High Court as provided for under Article258 of the Constitution,” he shot.
That threat seemed to have worked as Senators raced against time to deliver.
Other leaders present at the signing ceremony
Also present, in the Revenue Allocation bill signing ceremony, were Leaders of Majority in the Senate and the National Assembly Samuel Poghisio and Amos Kimunya, Head of Public Service Dr Joseph Kinyua, Clerks of both Houses Jeremiah Nyegenye (Senate) and Michael Sialai (National Assembly), Solicitor General Ken Ogeto and State House Deputy Chief of Staff Njee Muturi.
