By Billow Kerrow

NAIROBI- In the 9 years since the county governments were established, the 3 counties of Mandera, Wajir and Garissa have been allocated a total of Ksh 247.7 Billion, which amounts to USD$ 2.5 Billion. Most of the funds were allocated to the county governments – shs 225.8 billion – run by the Governors.

The balance of shs 21.9 billion are devolved funds disbursed by National Government to constituencies through Members of Parliament in the region.

It may look like a whooping amount but given that the country’s annual budget averaged shs 2.5 trillion p.a. during this period, the devolved funds allocations amount to slightly over 1.1% of the total shs 22 trillion national expenditure!.

Aside from these devolved funds, there are national government ministries, departments, agencies and institutions funded directly from Nairobi.

This is where the region gets a raw deal, mostly payment of salaries for teachers & security forces, and an occasional project. Insha Allah, I will do the analysis of National Gov’t expenditures in the region soon.

The 3 County Governments were allocated a total of shs 32 billion (USD$300 million) in 2021/22; this is more than the annual budgets for Guinea Bissau & Central African Republic; same as the budget for Gambia; equivalent to half the budget for Somalia, and a third of budgets for Djibouti & Burundi.

Questions of accountability & lack of priorities have dogged the region. For instance, the 3 main towns lack adequate, safe & piped water supply. Of the 5 governors who served the region during this period, 1 was impeached; 2 face corruption charges in court; I was not reelected in 2017; and 1 survived the purge, perhaps be being too clever by half for the system!

It’s your right to know as we head towards elections!