The ‘dwindling’ Pesa Mashinani initiative by the forty seven governors has received a boost, after a Kisii University Deputy Vice Chancellor urged the government to yield to the county bosses’ demands.
Speaking at Senior Chief Musa Nyandusi Secondary school on Wednesday, Prof. Maurice Amutabi said many counties were struggling to make an impact due to limited resources.
He said the county government needed the cash to put formidable foundation since the devolved units are being witnessed for the first time since 1964 following the collapse of the Majimbo governments at independence.
“The government should give more funds to the county governments if at all we want to see an impact in terms of development. Being the inaugural units, governors must get enough resources to put a strong foundation for successive governments,” he said.
“Being a start, it is therefore in order that the government yields to the Pesa Mashinani initiative because we do not want to be subjected to a plebiscite since it will be a waste of time and resources,” he said.
The renowned don lauded the Senate for its spirited effort to have the county governments receive more funds, but slammed the National Assembly, accusing the parliamentarians of selfishness.
“The Senate has led by example. Pushing for an additional Sh7b in the counties, which was opposed by MPs. The MPs should work in good faith and desist from being egocentric,” he said.
Governors have been in a tussle with the National government over allocation of more resources, something that has led to advocating for funds through a referendum driven Pesa Mashinani initiative.