Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Kenyans.co.ke
Published on 2024-02-19 12:45:48
The Council of Governors has urgently scheduled a crisis meeting for Thursday, February 22, to address the ongoing dispute between county governments and the national government regarding devolved functions. The county leaders have expressed concerns about the national government’s apparent encroachment on devolved functions and are seeking to find a resolution to the escalating conflict.
It is anticipated that 18 governors will attend the emergency meeting to discuss the current situation and determine the best course of action moving forward. The governors have accused the national government of employing dubious tactics and providing conflicting figures related to various devolved functions such as Health, Housing, and Trade.
In a show of solidarity, all the governors declined an invitation to attend a launch event at the Deputy President’s home, where the launch of the Stipend Payment of the County Health Promoters Programme (CHPs) took place. The governors expressed skepticism about the allocated amount of over Ksh250 million for the stipend payment to county workers, which they deemed to be exaggerated. Additionally, the counties are opposing the allocation of Ksh3 billion to be made to county governments for these payments.
The Council of Governors issued a statement highlighting their concern over the national government’s actions, particularly in the direct budget support for devolved functions and the use of members of parliament to implement programs, thereby disregarding the constitutional roles of counties.
Moreover, the governors have raised alarm over the national government’s failure to allocate funds to the counties for roles that had been taken over, such as housing and health promotion. They have also criticized the National Assembly for engaging in projects that are within the mandate of county governments.
The upcoming meeting is expected to address these pressing issues and chart a way forward for the county chiefs. The governors have expressed a united front in addressing the challenges they are facing and are determined to find a resolution to the ongoing conflict.
The crisis meeting holds significant importance, as it provides an opportunity for the governors to strategize on how to protect the devolved functions and address the concerns raised by the national government’s actions. It is a critical moment for the county leaders to come together and find common ground in order to uphold the principles of devolution and ensure the effective delivery of services to the citizens of their respective counties.
The Council of Governors remains steadfast in their commitment to safeguarding the interests of the counties and ensuring that the devolved functions are protected from unwarranted interference by the national government. The upcoming meeting will serve as a platform for the governors to reaffirm their stance and explore viable solutions to the current impasse.
In conclusion, the crisis meeting set for Thursday, February 22, is an important step in addressing the clash between county governments and the national government. The governors are united in their determination to protect the devolved functions and find a resolution to the ongoing dispute. It is a critical moment for the county leaders to come together and chart a way forward for the benefit of the citizens they serve.
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