Hope for counties as Treasury assures release of funds soon

County governments are finally set to receive funds soon following a key meeting between the Council of Governors (CoG) and Treasury CS John Mbadi.

Mbadi on Thursday met with representatives of the Council of Governors led by Vice Chair Governor Ahmed Abdullahi and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja.

The meeting was convened to address the prolonged impasse that had frozen county disbursements.

Speaking after the meeting at Treasury offices, CS Mbadi said there is light at the end of the tunnel.

"The meeting was fruitful, and counties should expect the resumption of exchequer release," Mbadi said.

The meeting was convened after the CoG met President William Ruto after the Universal Health Care rollout event at State House, Nairobi, in which they were participants.

It was during the meeting that the governors raised concerns over funding issues prompting the president to direct a meeting between the CoG representatives and the Treasury.

The Governors nominated Sakaja and CoG Vice Chair Abdullahi to deliberate on the way forward.

Counties have been desperately pushing for the release of funds to facilitate their day-to-day rollout of projects.

“This has been a difficult period for us, but we are hopeful following the discussions that counties will soon see funds flowing again,” CoG Vice Chair Governor Abdullahi said after the meeting.

Nairobi Governor Sakaja also echoed the sentiment, stating:

“We had a fruitful meeting and are happy that counties will be receiving funds soon. It has been a tough three months, but now the matter is resolved.”

Lack of funds disbursement had left the county in an unprecedented situation with several essential services lagging.

Among those hard hit are health services with many hospitals lacking essential supplies such as drugs.