Friday 25th April, 2025 08:02 PM|

Alego Usonga Member of Parliament (MP) Sam Atandi has praised Raila Odinga for his input in the approval of the County Governments Additional Allocations Bill.

The bill, advocating the better service delivery in the devolved units through additional transfer of funds, was approved on Thursday, April 24, 2025, and now awaits presidential assent.

Speaking during a funeral event in Homabay County on Friday, April 25, 2025, Atandi attributed the passing of the bill to Raila’s strong stance on the empowering devolved units.

“Baba, your voice is very important in the governance of this country. When you speak, we respond. Recently, you gave a strong voice to parliament, and I want to assure you that parliament is a strong institution that only you can oversight,” Atandi stated.

“Whatever you are telling us as members of parliament, we are taking it seriously. Under my leadership as the Chair of the Budgets and Appropriations Committee, yesterday, through your command, we were able to pass the bill now giving counties 50 billion for their programs.”

The Budget and Appropriations Committee chair further pledged to oversee the implementation of the various agendas of the pact signed between the ruling party, UDA, and ODM, signed by the ODM leader and President William Ruto.

“I want to urge you to continue speaking to parliament. It is only your voice that this country will listen to. We are ready to listen to you. I know there is an agreement signed with the government on the sharing of resources. I want to assure you that we will ensure we fulfil the agreement you signed with President Ruto,” he added.

In addition to providing the funds to counties for the 2024/25 financial year, the bill provides for the transfer of both conditional and unconditional allocations from the national government and development partners to all 47 county governments, as provided under Articles 202(2) and 190 of the Constitution.

Among key program allocations in the bill are Ksh3.23 billion for Community Health Promoters (CHPs) across all counties under the Afya Bora Mashinani programs, and Ksh1.76 billion for the Kenya Devolution Support Programme.

Meanwhile, Ksh2.9 billion will go to the construction of County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs) in 21 counties, with each county contributing Ksh250 million.

Ksh1.759 billion to clear salary arrears for county health workers, following a Return-to-Work Agreement with the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU).

For the construction of county headquarters, Ksh523.1 million has been allocated for Isiolo, Lamu, Tana River, and Tharaka Nithi counties.

Counties will also benefit from development partner-funded projects covering sectors such as agriculture, health, water, sanitation, climate action, urban development, and devolution.