Stop-gap measure timely

Council of Governors chairman Isaac Ruto. Action was taken Wednesday to forestall a crisis in the counties when Central government advanced them funds to pay August salaries. PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE |  NATION MEDIA GROUP

In Summary

• More critically, this brings to the fore a more fundamental question, which is the funding of counties. Thus far, they rely substantially on the National Government for their financial upkeep. None is able to raise the resources to run its affairs.

Action was taken Wednesday to forestall a crisis in the counties when Central government advanced them funds to pay August salaries, after an outcry that they would be unable to do so.

Coming against a backdrop of a long-drawn out strike by medical practitioners, some of whom have not been paid their July salaries, the disbursement was timely. But this was a panic reaction, which should never be the case.

More critically, this brings to the fore a more fundamental question, which is the funding of counties. Thus far, they rely substantially on the National Government for their financial upkeep. None is able to raise the resources to run its affairs.

However, there are strictures in the present arrangement that must be dealt with. Among these is the law on financial allocation that took too long to be passed and ratified by the National Assembly to allow funds transfer, and the bureaucratic procedures at the National Treasury that hinder expeditious cash transfers.

A formula must be worked out that ensures smooth payouts, and which will enable counties to function.