CRA Chairman Micah Cheserem says that this comes after the commission approved all county budgets and asked county governments to focus on functions devolved to them/FILE
CRA Chairman Micah Cheserem says that this comes after the commission approved all county budgets and asked county governments to focus on functions devolved to them.
“We are also waiting on the Senate to pass the County Allocation of Revenue Bill which is set to be passed next week. However we are questioning some of the county budgets because they have huge deficits, however we request them to have a balanced budget and try not to borrow,” he said.
Cheserem said that county governments should elect a leaders forum that will see the needs of the people are taken care of and prioritized in county budgets.
He also revealed that 14 counties will benefit from Sh3.4 billion equalization funds each and not 21 counties as earlier stated by Senators.
He said that if devolution is to be realized the national government must cut its expenses and invest in counties.
The commission has launched county fact sheets of each of the 47 counties that will inform policy formulation and planning.
“The data on each of the 47 counties is useful to many stakeholders, including national and county government leadership, the Executive and other policy makers,” he said.
This comes as the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) Board says it is ready to disburse the Sh6 billion for Uwezo Fund aimed at helping the youth.
The money had earlier been set aside to cater for an election re-run and President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered they be used to help young entrepreneurs.
The fund’s chairperson Jennifer Baraza says they have adequate structures on the ground to ensure the funds reach the intended beneficiaries.
She expressed her optimism that the money would improve the living standards of the young Kenyans and increase the level of employment.
Baraza was speaking in Kisumu at a training of CDF committee members drawn from Kisumu County.
