Delay in the disbursement of County funds has negatively affected operations in Counties across the country.

This is according to the Senate Minority Leader Sen. Sen. Justice (Rtd) Stewart Madzayo, CBS.

Sen. Madzayo told delegates attending the Devolution Conference at Eldoret Sports Club in Uasin Gishu County that for some time, late disbursement of funds has slowed and in some cases stopped progress in Counties.

“Delay disbursement of funds is still a major challenge in the context of County Revenue Sharing mechanism yet County Governments heavily rely on these funds to provide essential services and drive development projects within their jurisdictions,” said Sen. Madzayo.

The Kilifi County Senator said the delay has also forced some Counties to take overdrafts in order to meet their operation costs.

“Most Counties end up using the money that should have been allocated for development and recurrent expenditure on costly overdraft facilities to ensure salaries are paid and essential services are provided, which attract high interest and unnecessarily burdens the taxpayer,” he explained.

The Lawmaker appealed to the National Government to timely disburse funds to Counties to enable Governors to effectively carry out their daily operations.

Further, Sen. Madzayo urged Counties to allocate more money for development to ensure Kenyans at the grassroots experience Devolution through development projects carried out in their areas.

He called for unified and bold measures to be put in place to deal with corruption to protect Devolution.

“Although Devolution has brought some success in bringing the Government closer to Kenyan citizens and advancing development, evidence shows that corruption is a major challenge affecting most County Governments, and it is my humble appeal that we should expose corruption and stab it out completely,” submitted Hon. Madzayo.

In addition, he appealed to the Senate to intensify its oversight role to ensure County Governments are fully accountable.