Stop misleading Kenyans, top ODM Governor tells Treasury CS John Mbadi

Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has called on the Cabinet Secretary for National Treasury, John Mbadi, to stop misleading Kenyans regarding the disbursement of funds to counties by the National Government.

Speaking onNovember 19 in Likuyani, Barasa dismissed claims by Mbadi that counties had already received funds for their operations.

He clarified that while funds may be released from the National Treasury to the County Revenue Fund, controlled by the Central Bank of Kenya, it takes a minimum of two weeks for the money to reflect in the respective county accounts.

“The Cabinet Secretary is fully aware of the processes involved in transferring funds from the National Treasury to counties. His statement is misleading because funds for September have not yet reached the designated project accounts,” the Governor stated.

He added that there is need for urgent reforms within the Office of the Controller of Budget to streamline the process and ensure counties receive funds in their project accounts within 48 hours of disbursement from the National Treasury.

The Governor spoke on Tuesday when he conferred Matunda Township to Municipality, making it the 5th Municipality in Kakamega County. On Monday, Governor Barasa conferred Butere and Malava to Municipality status adding the number to Kakamega and Mumias Municipalities.

Present were Deputy Governor Ayub Savula and Likuyani MP Innocent Mugabe, among other officials.