The National Treasury has been challenged to make sure that county governments are allocated adequate resources as little funds hampered operations.
The Marsabit County Governor, Mahmud Ali termed the stalemate in the National Assembly concerning the recommended county allocations by the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) as not healthy for development.
Governor Ali said in Heilu Manyatta ward in Moyale town on Wednesday after officiating at a roads’ upgrading to bitumen standard project that Treasury should heed pleas by the Senate and governors and bring the stalemate to an end.
The governor pointed out that rendering of services and implementation of development projects in the devolved sectors were on a slow pace because the financing is not enough and was always released late.
A t the same time, the governor asked the National Assembly to stop backing the stand of the National Treasury but instead play its oversight role effectively saying that was the only way the current stalemate could be resolved
The governor who was accompanied by Marsabit Senator, Hargura Godana called on those arbitrating in the standoff to end the stalemate without further delay to bring the suffering of wananchi across the country who lack some basic services to an end.
Senator Godana accused Parliament and the National Treasury of what he termed as a scheme to suppress devolution.
He urged for quality construction works of the roads and compensation for pieces of land acquired to give room for construction.
The Senator pointed out that the law required that people affected by such initiatives be compensated justly and without delay.
The Heilu Manyatta Ward MCA, John Killo said the national lands commission had carried out a survey and proposed that residents affected by the 4.5 kilometers of road being tarmacked be paid Sh.50 million which he however felt was not enough.
The Marsabit County Assembly has already okayed payment of Sh.40 million with Mr. Kilo appealing to the government to consider raising the amount to the stated figure.
By Sebastian Miriti
