Rotich reveals govt plan to slash funds to counties amid cash crunch
Treasury secretary Henry Rotich: The Jubilee administration has ramped up spending since 2013 to build a modern railway, new roads, bridges and electricity plants. FILE PHOTO | NMG
CS reveals plan to slash funds allocated to counties by between Sh15 billion and Sh17 billion.
In the current financial year, Sh302 billion was allocated to the 47 county governments in equitable share of revenue collected, meaning that at the worst case scenario, the allocation could reduce to Sh285 billion.
The CS noted that elections slowed down business activities in the country.
Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich has said that the government is facing difficulties financing some of its development projects.
While appearing before the Senate committee on Finance and Budget Wednesday, he also revealed a proposal to slash funds allocated to counties by between Sh15 billion and Sh17 billion.
Mr Rotich blamed the country’s financial situation on failure by the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) to hit its projected collection targets.
“We have discussed with the KRA on how to catch up by tightening the tax net on the domestic and customs revenue,” Mr Rotich told the committee chaired by Mandera Senator Mr Mohamed Mahamud.
“We need to discuss with you (Senators) and governors that the figure we put on the table is not feasible based on the challenges that I have explained.”
In the current financial year, Sh302 billion was allocated to the 47 county governments in equitable share of revenue collected, meaning that in the worst case scenario, the allocation could slashed to Sh285 billion.
Elections hit
According to the CS, the shortfall in revenue collection as projected in March last year when the budget was read early last year to pave the way for the August 8 general elections, is because of the prolonged electioneering period and biting drought.
The CS noted that these affected revenue collection as it slowed down business activity in the country.
However, Senators Mutula Kilonzo Junior (Makueni) and Ms Rose Nyamunga (nominated) questioned the move to slash counties' allocations saying it may affect ongoing projects in devolved units.
Counties are also likely to incur unnecessary expenditures in compensation costs on the ongoing projects that are likely to be affected by proposed budget cuts.
“Just tell us that the government is broke! Otherwise this thing you are telling us about reduction of the counties allocation is something that we can’t sell. It is impossible to do that midway through another budget making process,” Mr Kilonzo said.
