Nyali MP Mohamed Ali has urged President Uhuru Kenyatta’s government to increase the annual budgetary allocation to county governments.
Ali argues that the current 15 percent of the national budget allocated to counties is not enough to implement projects and guarantee service delivery to Kenyans.
Speaking to journalist's at the Parliament Buildings in Nairobi on Tuesday, the MP said that majority of counties are struggling with the low budgetary allocation.
He said that a huge chunk of the budgetary allocations goes to paying salaries at the expense of development.
“President Kenyatta should urgently look into the county funding and ensure that Kenyans at the grass root level have enough money for development,” he said.
The MP also asked the national government to revise on the formula used in allocating funds to counties.
He said that there is a need for counties to get an equal share for equitable development.
The MP stated that devolution was created for Kenyans, adding that the national government must play its role and ensure counties shave the needed resources.
Ali at the same time called for formulation of stiffer laws that will seal corruption loopholes.
He said that corruption and misuse of resources are still rife at the county governments.
He asked senators to play their oversight role well and ensure budgetary allocations for their counties are used wisely.
Governors, senators, and devolution stakeholders are currently meeting in Kakamega for the fifth devolution conference.
The annual devolution conference seeks to evaluate and assess the effectiveness of devolved services.