Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna has criticised county leaders for applauding President William Samoei Ruto during a joint UDA-ODM Parliamentary Group (PG) meeting on the implementation of the 10-Point Agenda.
During the meeting, President Ruto told lawmakers and governors that the national government had been prompt in releasing funds to counties, asserting, “As far as the National Government is concerned, disbursements to county governments are never delayed, and there are no arrears. We continue to meet our obligations to support counties in delivering services to the people.”
Sifuna described the scene as “deeply embarrassing,” noting that it was astonishing to watch the Council of Governors (CoG) clap while the President made these claims. “This is the same group of governors who regularly appear before parliamentary committees seeking assistance because the Treasury does not release funds to the counties on time,” he said.
The remarks come amid ongoing tensions between the national government and county administrations over delayed allocations. Despite constitutional provisions on devolution, counties have repeatedly reported late disbursements, affecting salaries, development projects, and essential services.
The Council of Governors, established in 2013, often raises these concerns in Parliament and with the national government. In previous sessions, governors have cited pending bills, stalled projects, and underfunded programs as evidence that allocations are not always timely.
President Ruto's critics and analysts say recurring delays have heightened friction between the national government and counties, particularly during high-profile meetings like the joint UDA-ODM PG sessions on the 10-Point Agenda. The Treasury, however, maintains that allocations are released according to statutory requirements, with any delays attributed to technical or compliance issues at the county level.
