Kajiado Governor calls for adherence to constitution in revenue allocation

By Robert Mutasi 

Kajiado Governor Joseph Ole Lenku said revenue allocation between Kenya's National and County governments must be done per law.

Speaking during the recent public event on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, the governor advised that the formula on how a fair share of national revenue to counties is apportioned is led by Article 203(2) of the Kenyan Constitution, which reads, "a county shall receive not less than 15 per cent of the last audited national revenue as approved by the National Assembly".

Lenku applauded that the Kajiado County Assembly always passed the county budget on time, noting that timely approval assists in organizing operations and ensures public services are well conducted.

 He said the law on the apportionment of money is clear and must not be negotiated or changed for individual or political interest. 

"There is a law that gives direction to the distribution of government money," said Lenku, adding that the 15% to the counties is constitutional and hence not up for debate.

This statement comes amidst heated national debates on the ideal share of resources between the two arms of government. 

In the Kenyan devolved system of government, county governments wholly depend on funds from the central government to perform core functions such as health services, agriculture, and infrastructure development.

The formula of equitable sharing is enshrined in the Constitution as a way of ensuring that counties have the financial resources they deserve to serve their citizens effectively.

The County Chief added that observance of this provision is important to the accountability of Kenya's devolution system.

 "It is not a matter of negotiation, flattery or begging; it is a matter of following the law," he said. 

He called on all tiers of government to respect the constitution, which he said Kenyans established to provide a level playing field for governance and distribution of resources.

This resonates with previous calls by the Council of Governors, where county leaders asked the national government to ensure that revenue allocated to counties trickles down.

They also claimed that shortfalls or delays in disbursement would retard service delivery and developmental projects in counties.

Equitable share allocation has been one of the core issues of interest in Kenya's devolution process ever since the introduction of the 2010 Constitution that devolved power and resources to 47 counties in a bid to take governance closer to the people.