Former Kiambu governor William Kabogo now wants the Treasury to allocate more funds to counties in order to propel the economic growth and empowerment programmes.
His sentiments come as the 6th Devolution Conference (DEVCON) is taking place in Kirinyaga county where dozens of delegates from National and County Governments are in attendance.
This year’s theme is ‘Deliver, Transform and Measure’. The topics of discussion will include trade, agriculture, and manufacturing that seeks to promote value addition to products, whilst creating employment opportunities for the country’s working-age population.
The former county boss added that the devolved system of governance had activated counties that for decades were referred to be dormant or arid and semi-arid.
“I would like to urge the Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich and Controller of Budget to increase funding of the counties to ensure Kenyans enjoy services at their convenience,”
He further divulged that the distribution of resources should be based on the population noting that some counties were receiving less money despite having a high population.
Those in North-Eastern regions, he states, are on the receiving end of the unequal distribution of resources which hinders their economic progress.
“We have the progress or success of the devolution, Kenyans have been transformed through improved service delivery but let accountability of the resources be our driver for our common goal of
realisation of Uhuru’s big 4 agenda andrealisation of vision 2030,”
He also urged governors not to misuse funds meant for development.
Council of Governors Vice chairman, who is also Murang’a Governor Mwangi Wairia, had earlier highlighted that the Devolution Conference would build on last year’s conference in Kakamega.