- Raila Odinga has seemingly criticised President William Ruto’s administration for allegedly withholding county funds, warning it undermines devolution
- The ODM leader further called on the government to release resources to county governments to ensure efficient operation and development
- He also proposed that county governments should be the ones to oversee the Affordable Housing Programme and not the National government
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Faith Chandianya, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and Current Affairs in Kenya
Raila Odinga, leader of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), has launched a bold offensive against President William Ruto’s administration.
This comes a day after he clarified that ODM has not formed a coalition with the Kenya Kwanza government but has agreed to collaborate in efforts to unite Kenyans.
Did Raila call out govt over delayed county funds?
Speaking in Kericho county on Saturday, April 26, the former prime minister criticised the national government for allegedly withholding funds intended for counties.
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He said the ongoing situation is stalling development and threatens the survival of devolution.
The ODM leader also urged Ruto’s administration to release the funds to allow county governments to operate effectively.
“Right now, we still have a problem. We have devolved generally, but you are not bringing resources down so that these devolved units can work efficiently. You see now they are saying that nearly 50% of the money going to the counties is going to salaries and that only less than 30% is going to development, but that is not the mistake of the devolved unit,” Raila said.
“If, for example, you release funds for infrastructure, if you release other funds meant for health because health is a devolved function, but the bulk of money is remaining up there in Nairobi, is not coming down here. Why don’t you give money to the counties?” he said.
He added that the Affordable Housing Programme should be managed by county governments rather than the national government.
He also said governors should not be blamed for limited development in the counties, arguing they are not receiving adequate resources from the national government.
“If you give the resources properly, the entire country will be working. Right now, the counties are employing experts, but there is no work for those people. So release the resources to the counties nd devolution will work for our country,” he added.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
