Tissue Transplant Authority and two other organizations created by the administration of former president Uhuru Kenyatta were rejected by the Council of Governors, who also demanded an audit to repeal anti-devolution legislation.
The council noted the establishment of the Kenya National Public Health Institute Order of 2022, National Syndemic Diseases Control Authority, and Kenya Tissue and Transplant Authority without consultation with the counties during a meeting where pertinent issues affecting county governments were discussed.
In an effort to align a devolved system of governance, the Council now requests an audit of all laws that were passed both before and after devolution.
The Council of Governors has charged the office of the controller of budget with supporting a bill that would have amalgamated county administration, among other things.
The council highlighted that the controller of budget is allegedly performing the duties of the auditor general and said they will request a meeting with the national executive to discuss the ongoing problem of pending bills.
“It is regrettable that the Office of the Controller of Budget, which pretends to perform the duties of the Auditor General, continues to contribute to the fusion of pending laws. Therefore, we urge the Controller of Budget to quit obstructing this crucial procedure and give the Counties space to carry out their budgets “said Council of Governors chairperson Anne Waiguru.
Waiguru, the CoG’s chair, urged the senate to support proposals about the planned revenue-sharing between the federal and county governments.
One suggestion is to raise predicted revenue by 15%, and another is to allocate at least Ksh425 billion to counties in the upcoming fiscal year.
The council also discussed the delayed distribution of the county equitable share, reiterating that the total amount the central government owes county government for October allocations is Ksh29.6 billion and Ksh31.45 billion, respectively.
The council also pointed out that the criteria the controller of budget uses to approve requests for revenue allocation to the counties is deceptive.
“It is crucial to remember that the County Revenue Funds’ (CRFs’) balances are not the consequence of underutilization by counties but rather of the Controller of Budget’s over 2-week-long delays in approving requisitions. As a result, this standard is false and unreasonable.”