Governors conclude their two-day retreat at the Maasai Mara

Narok,

Friday, November 10, 2023

KNA by Ann Salaton

The council of Governors has concluded its two-day retreat at the Maasai Mara National Reserve with their main message being to urge the National Government to expedite and implement the resolutions they made during their summit meeting that was held in February this year.

One of the key issues raised was the Road Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF), which they threatened to seek legal redress if it is not reverted to the counties at the rate of 20 percent for the financial year 2024/25.

Led by their Chairperson and Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, the governors said during their summit meeting which was chaired by President William Ruto, it was resolved that the RMLF would be reverted to the counties.

However, she said, it had come to their attention that the National Assembly had appropriated these resources to constituencies saying this was blatantly against the constitution.

“The council demands that the summit resolutions be implemented, failure to which, we will have no alternative other than to seek legal redress,” she reiterated.

The governors also raised concerns on the Social Health Insurance Act they claimed to favour private sector facilities at the expense of the public institutions asking the departments concerned to correct this issue in the regulation.

At the same time, the governors demanded that the Sh. 250 million grant by the National Government to the remaining 29 counties be provided through the supplementary budget for the year 2023/2024 for the implementation of the County Aggregation and Industry Parks (CAIPs).

On the ongoing rains, the council requested for the reconvening of the El-Nino response and Mitigation Committee to supplement the financing of the interventions being undertaken by counties in response to the ravaging El-Nino rains.

Despite the challenges, the governors reiterated they are committed to the devolution journey to ensure that Kenyans receive better services at the local level as envisaged in the constitution.

“We wish to appreciate our partners for their continued support and welcome strategies that will deepen devolution for enhanced service delivery,” said Waiguru.

They committed to help conserve the environment by advancing strategies for conservation and sustainable use of natural resources, including the protection of wildlife migration corridors, and the planting of trees in line with the president’s 15 billion tree-growing initiative.

Courtesy; KNA