A fresh storm is brewing between county governments and the national government over what governors have termed as a deliberate effort to cripple devolution. The Council of Governors (CoG) has raised alarm over a Sh38.4 billion reduction in county allocations, which they claim has been controversially redirected to the national government.
Addressing the media on Thursday, CoG Vice Chair and Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga warned that the move would paralyze critical county functions, including health, water, and agriculture.
He further revealed that some counties have not received any disbursements from the exchequer since January 2025, with the total equitable share arrears now standing at a staggering Sh78.03 billion.“This is a blatant assault on devolution. We are staring at a complete shutdown of county operations if this situation is not addressed urgently,” Kahiga stated.
According to the CoG, the persistent delays and budget cuts have pushed many counties to the brink, with stalled projects and unpaid salaries now the norm. The governors have now issued a 14-day ultimatum to the national government to release the funds or face a coordinated shutdown of county services.
The cash crunch comes at a time when counties are grappling with increasing financial obligations, including pending bills and development projects meant to uplift local economies.
Health services, which are fully devolved, are among the most affected, with reports of essential drugs running out in various county hospitals.The latest standoff adds to the long-running friction between the two levels of government over resource allocation.
The national government is yet to respond to the CoG’s demands, but with the threat of a county shutdown looming, pressure is mounting for urgent intervention.With two weeks on the clock, the coming days could determine the fate of counties—and the future of devolution in Kenya.
