Josphat Kinyua and James Murimi @PeopleDailyKe
Governors have expressed optimism that their stalemate with the National government over allocation to the counties will be hammered today even after yesterday’s meeting with the Presidency hit a near snag.
After the eight-hour meeting with President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto at the Sagana State Lodge in Nyeri during the Fifth National and County Government Co-ordinating summit, the governors who spoke to the People Daily said there was a light at the end of the tunnel in resolving the stalemate and that a deal could be clinched today as the summit enters its second and last day.
“Allocations to the counties featured promptly in our fifth summit but we are optimistic we have a deal tomorrow (today) because our talks with the government are cordial,” said Nyeri deputy Governor Samuel Wamathai.
His sentiments were echoed by Nyandarua Governor Waithaka Mwangi, who said although they are yet to conclude there was hope since the two sides did not have rigid differences.
The governors have been demanding increment of funds allocated to counties to 42 per cent of GDP from the constitutional at least 15 per cent which translate to Sh492 billion annually.
However the government side has been adamant that the funds are not available due to harsh economic times. Among other demands the governors have put on the table is completion of devolution and the abolition of Translation Authority which they say has outlived its usefulness.
Journalists who had earlier pitched tent outside the highly guarded premise were turned away as the summit—attended by governors and Cabinet secretaries—was described as a ‘closed-door’ event.
Meanwhile, a group of more than 300 squatters from Iruri village protested outside, demanding a chance to be addressed by the President over their resettlement plan. The squatters claimed they have lived in the shanties since independence.
The post Optimistic governors hope for county cash deal today appeared first on Mediamax Network Limited.