The Council of Governors Chairman H.E Dr Wycliffe Oparanya has cautioned that delays by National Treasury to release funds for Counties will ‘kill’ devolution in the Country.
He said development projects and other operations at the Counties have been crippled due to lack of money.
“For the last three months we have not received any money. We cannot offer any services to our people because we don’t have funds for development and other expenses,” said Governor Oparanya.
Speaking at Nakhwana Primary School in Bungoma during the funeral service of Mzee Maurice Mabongah father to Bumula MP Hon Mwambu Mabongah, the Governor said Counties are unable to pay contractors and other suppliers who offered services to the devolved units.
“Devolution was started to bring development closer to mwananchi but with no funds, there is nothing we can do. I ask you the Deputy President to ensure we get funds on time,” Dr Oparanya told DP Dr William Ruto who attended the service.
The Kakamega Governor revealed plans by the National Government to establish a cancer center in Western to offer treatment for the disease which he said has killed many people in the region.
He said as four Governors from the region (Kakamega, Bungoma, Vihiga and Busia) engaged the National Government to start the first cancer center in the region.
“Establishing a cancer center in Western will reduce the cost of seeking cancer treatment because our people travel to Eldoret or Nairobi to seek cancer services,” he said.
He added; “We are still consulting to see where the center will be established. It will be a sigh of relief to our people,” he said.
Dr Oparanya also asked the National Government to implement the sugar taskforce report targeting to revive ailing sugar factories.
“I urge the National Government to implement the report before 2022. Our factories have collapsed leaving our people jobless which has negatively affected our economy,” he said.
Senate Speaker Hon Ken Lusaka several MPs, MCAs and other leaders attended the service.
Site Title 