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Governors dismiss Gachagua's claim, say they haven't received El Nino billions

The Council of Governors during a press conference in Nairobi on 22 November 2023. (Photo: X/CoG)

By Dennis Tarus | Wednesday, November 22, 2023

CoG Chairperson and Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru went further to add that the counties are owed a total of Sh62.58 billion from the equitable share that is yet to be disbursed.

The Council of Governors have come out to dispute claims made by the national government that they have received funds to mitigate the effects of the ongoing El Nino funds that have led to the loss of scores of lives, widespread destruction of critical infrastructure and the displacement of thousands of Kenyans.

"Earlier on in the year, the Kenya Meteorological Department predicted that most parts of the country will experience heavy rainfall with flood-related risks expected to continue into January 2024. To date, we wish to state that the County Governments have not received any allocation from the National Government to go towards mitigation measures," the CoG said in a statement on Wednesday.

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CoG Chairperson and Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru went further to add that the counties are owed a total of Sh62.58 billion from the equitable share that is yet to be disbursed.

According to the governors, 13 counties are owed Sh10.17 billion for the month of September while 27 counties are owed Sh19.64 billion for the month of October.

In total, the CoG said that in total, all counties are owed Sh32.76 billion for the month of November.

Council of Governorschairperson Anne Waiguru during a press conference in Nairobi on 22 November 2023. (Photo: X/CoG)

"We note with concern public utterances that suggest that county governments have received funds from the national government to support the mitigation of the devastating impact of the El Nino rains," Waiguru said.

"We take the position that such utterances are against the spirit of cooperative and collaborative Governments as envisioned under the provisions of Article 6(2) of the Constitution. In such times we call upon the two levels of Government to come together in order to intensify response strategies to mitigate against the complex risks arising from the heavy rains and flooding in addition to the existing humanitarian challenges."

DP statement

The CoG statement came moments after Gachagua called on governors to do their part by channelling funds to help flood victims in their respective counties.

The DP said there was an existing agreement on a coordination framework between the national government, the county governments and development partners.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. (Photo: PCS)

"We agreed that the county coordination teams, which are co-chaired by the governors and the county commissioners, will be the forum through which to channel help," Gachagua said on Wednesday during the Development Partnership Forum in Nairobi.

The DP said the county chiefs are expected to use emergency money "within their financial provision and reallocate money within their budget to intervene for the people that they govern."

"However, there has been a misconception. that some county governments have been waiting for the national government to give them money. for this intervention. That is not the case."

Gachagua said the national government will only provide funds through the county coordination teams.

"The development partners and humanitarian agencies will do the same, and we expect the county governments to also do the same. We are shocked to see governors complaining that they are yet to receive money for El Nino from the national government...such money is not forthcoming." the DP said.