President Uhuru Kenyatta has launched a Sh6 billion Equalization Fund to uplift disadvantaged counties that have lagged behind in development.
The Sh6 billion allocated to the Fund for this financial year amounts to 0.8 per cent of the last audited revenues approved by the National Assembly.
This is an improvement on the minimum constitutional requirement of 0.5 per cent.
“We plan to continue exceeding the minimum requirement until we compensate for the time that has lapsed without the Fund,” he said.
He disclosed that under the Fund, counties in arid and semi-arid regions will receive between Sh185 million and Sh650 million this financial year.
President Kenyatta was speaking when he opened the Pastoralists’ Leadership Summit at the Samburu Simba Lodge in Isiolo County on Friday.
He was accompanied by Deputy President William Ruto.
The summit brought together leaders from Isiolo, Mandera, Wajir, Garissa, Marsabit, Turkana, West Pokot, Baringo, Laikipia, Samburu, Tana River, Lamu, Kajiado and Narok counties.
Its theme was ‘Devolved Governance: A call for more Effective Public Participation and Political Action in Pastoralist Areas’.
President Kenyatta expressed confidence that with proper co-ordination and administration, the Equalization Fund will spark a wave of public investment that will hasten development in the pastoralist counties and ensure equity in national development.
“With the money available, I urge local leaders to immediately begin leveraging the funds to cater to basic community needs in your respective counties and create meaningful change among your constituents,” he said.