Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has faulted legislators for rejecting a bid to increase Equitable Revenue to counties for the financial year 2024/2025.
Barasa, who chairs the Finance and Economic Planning Committee at the Council of Governors, noted that devolved units required more funds to implement projects.
“I am disappointed with the National Assembly Budget Committee for rejecting Senators’ proposal to increase counties’ allocation to Sh415 billion. Counties have medical equipment to be serviced and various other functions which have been devolved but not funded,” Barasa said.
Barasa was speaking during an inspection tour of maize farms in various wards in Mumias East, Matungu and Khwisero sub-counties to assess the impact of subsidized fertiliser.
He questioned the rationale behind the bill’s rejection noting that for devolution to be successful, counties should be well funded.
“It will be strenuous to successfully run critical functions like health and agriculture with little funding,” he said.
By Moses Wekesa
