Governors have urged the national government to increase the equitable share to counties in the next financial year to shield the devolved units from the rising cost of living.
Council of Governors Finance and Economic planning chairman Fernandes Barasa said the skyrocketing cost of living has had an effect on prices of commodities and items required to run projects.
"Inadequate funding is a challenge facing all counties and we are hoping that we can have a conversation with the Commission for Revenue Allocation to review these figures and cushion counties,” he said.
Barasa, who is Kakamega governor spoke on the sidelines of the Council of Governors summit in Narok county.
He expressed fears over the doubled cost of projects caused by the increased prices of fuel and other commodities.
“For example doing a road is now double the cost because of the high cost of fuel so we just have to be realistic and involve all stakeholders in discussions around the fourth cycle of the equitable share,” he said.
Barasa urged CRA to hold discussions with stakeholders to ensure the next cycle is done through a thought process.
He decried delayed disbursement of funds to a number of counties by the government.
“We have Sh48 billion owed to counties for the month of September, 23 counties are owed around Sh17 billion for October and we also have another Sh31 billion for the other counties,” Barasa said.
COG Chair Anne Waiguru said it is important for the national and county governments to act on their commitments and align to the constitution.
“COG has always embraced consultation, consensus and cooperation but may have no option but to seek legal redress where there is deliberate slowing down or claw back on devolved functions,” she said.
The Kirinyaga Governor urged the national government to devolve the remaining functions, accompanied by resources.
“It has been over 10 years now, it is time we had a complete transfer of devolved functions for effective service delivery to citizens, who have so far only enjoyed the dividends of partial devolution,” Waiguru said.
The devolved functions performed by county governments include agriculture, health, Early Childhood Development, vocational training, water supply, waste management, community development and many others.
In its interim report, the Inter-Governmental Relations Technical Committee said functions performed by ministries, departments and agencies are worth Sh272 billion.
Agriculture, which has 41 functions is valued at Sh105 billion while Transport ministry, which has 51 functions accounts for Sh51 billion, Education has 52 elements while Tourism and wildlife have functions valued at Sh31 billion.
The 47 Governors convened in Narok for two days to reflect on the achievements, challenges, and lessons in the past year.