Governors Corner Gachagua As He Says Ksh10B El Nino Funds Are 'Not Coming'

The saga began on Tuesday, November 21 when Gachagua, during his visit to Mombasa where he distributed relief food to families affected by floods, indicated that the state had released the funds to county governments to support flood victims.

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Nov 22, 2023 - 13:57
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Governors Corner Gachagua As He Says Ksh10B El Nino Funds Are 'Not Coming'
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua speaking during the 40th Annual Seminar of the ICPAK in Mombasa on November 21, 2023. /DPPS

The Council of Governors (CoG) on Wednesday, November 22 slammed Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua as he changed tune on his pronouncement that the national government has released Ksh10 billion to counties to mitigate the effects of the ongoing El Nino rains. 

The saga began on Tuesday, November 21 when Gachagua, during his visit to Mombasa where he distributed relief food to families affected by floods, indicated that the state had released the funds to county governments to support flood victims.

He sparked a row with Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir, accusing him of doing little to help families affected by the recent flooding in the coastal county, despite the support from the National Government. 

"We don't want any governor to blame the national government for lack of support. Governors too have budgets, and if people are dying, what use is that money in the bank?

Mombasa Governor Abdulswamad Nassir at his office on October 6, 2023. /ABDULSWAMAD NASSIR

"They should suspend all programs and help the people with food, blankets, and medical supplies. We will go back to development once we are through with this crisis," Gachagua declared in Mombasa.

Governor Nassir however responded by defending his administration's actions and denying claims of negligence on his part, asserting that the County Government of Mombasa had managed its disaster response using internal revenue sources and support from organizations such as the Red Cross and other NGOs.

Nassir called for an investigation into the alleged disbursement of Ksh10 billion by the National Government, questioning its destination and emphasizing that it did not reach the counties.

Meanwhile, the CoG led by Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru revealed that the devolved units were yet to receive any allocation towards dealing with the adverse effects of the El Nino rains.

"We note with concern public utterances that suggest that County Governments have received funds from the National Government to support the mitigation of the devastating impact of the El Nino Rains," stated CoG in a statement to newsrooms.

"We take the position that such utterances are against the spirit of cooperative and collaborative Governments as envisioned under the provisions of Article 6(2) of the Constitution. In such times we call upon the two levels of Government to come together in order to intensify response strategies to mitigate against the complex risks arising from the heavy rains and flooding in addition to the existing humanitarian challenges."

The statement came as Gachagua fired back at the complaining governors, advising them to use the funds in their coffers to mitigate effects of the El Nino.

Speaking while meeting development partners at his Karen residence, Gachagua announced that the national government will not release funds to the counties, adding that the funds from the national government will be channelled through county coordination teams, development partners and humanitarian agencies. 

"We are shocked to see governors complaining that they are yet to receive money for El Nino from the national government; such money is not coming. They are expected to use emergency money within their financial provision or reallocate money within their budget to intervene for the people they govern," he affirmed.

"As a national government last week we released Ksh2.4 billion as an initial injection into the effort and we will continue to inject more as we proceed on."

CoG Chairperson Governor Anne Waiguru (centre) speaking during a press briefing at the CoG offices in Nairobi on Tuesday, May 2, 2023. /ANNE WAIGURU

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