Marginalized areas in Kajiado County have been allocated Sh.952 Million from the Equalization fund to uplift basic services such as road infrastructure, water, health, education and electricity.
The Commission for Revenue Allocation (CRA) in its 2nd policy identified 64 sub-locations in Kajiado Central, West and South as marginalized with residents in those areas lacking access to basic services.
According to Koitamet ole Kina the commission’s Vice Chairman, marginalized areas are areas left behind by the previous governments in regards to development. He revealed that the equalization fund will ensure all Kenyans residing in those areas are able to enjoy basic services at their localities.
Ole Kina added that the monies to be disbursed soon do not directly address poverty but deal with factors that cause poverty such as lack of water, education, roads, electricity and health.
“We have areas without a dispensary, water, roads or schools. The funds will ensure that residents in those places have access to these services so that they are at par with the rest of the country,” he said.
The CRA team visited areas listed as marginalized in Kajiado County such as Impiro, Lorngosua, Torosei, Enkaroni, Il Marba among others to determine whether the areas are still underdeveloped.
A total of 1,424 marginalized regions spread across 34 counties have been earmarked to benefit from the Sh.13.89 billion in the current financial year ending June 30.
This is after Senate passed the Equalization Fund (Appropriations) Bill, 2023 that authorizes the counties to spend the cash.
The bill details how the 34 counties will share the funds to develop areas identified as marginalized.
Initially, the funds were meant for 14 least developed counties, especially those in the arid and semi-arid areas but the Commission on Revenue Allocation changed the formula and expanded the number of beneficiary counties to 34.
Kajiado Governor Joseph Lenku said the funds would help uplift the life of the locals and urged that the utilization of the funds be done scientifically to avoid political interference.
“The 3rd marginalization policy being developed must be as scientific as possible. It must not be interfered with politically because this will defeat the real purpose it is being formulated,” said the Governor.
The Commission for Revenue Allocation in its 3rd policy has identified 76 sub locations in Kajiado as marginalized.
This is in line with its mandate to determine, publish and regularly review a policy in which it sets out the criteria by which to identify the marginalized areas for purposes of the Equalization Fund (Article 216(4), Constitution of Kenya, 2010).
By Rop Janet
