In a bold and unprecedented move, the Council of Governors (CoG) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the National Government, threatening a total shutdown of county operations if Ksh 38.4 billion allegedly diverted from County Governments is not restored.
The standoff follows the controversial passage of the County Governments Additional Allocation Bill, 2025 by the National Assembly, a move that saw massive budget cuts in critical sectors including health, agriculture, water, fisheries, roads, infrastructure development, and trade. The governors have described the cuts as “deliberate, unconstitutional, and a direct attack on devolution.”
“The Council unequivocally condemns these unconstitutional budgetary cuts. This is a sabotage of service delivery and a betrayal of millions of Kenyans who depend on counties for basic services,” read a statement from the CoG.
The governors are also demanding the immediate release of Ksh 78.03 billion in pending equitable share arrears for the months of January, February, and March, accusing the National Treasury of holding counties hostage.
“If these funds are not released within 14 days, we will be left with no option but to shut down county governments. Health services, agriculture extension, water provision, infrastructure projects, and all county operations will grind to a halt,” the statement added.
The Council of Governors insists it will not stand by as devolution is crippled by underfunding and systematic starvation of resources meant for the people.
“We remain committed to defending devolution and safeguarding the gains achieved thus far for the benefit of all Kenyans. Devolution is not negotiable,” the statement concluded.
With the ultimatum clock ticking, the country now faces the looming threat of a nationwide county shutdown — a move that could paralyze critical services and spark a fresh constitutional crisis. All eyes are now on the National Treasury and President William Ruto’s administration as pressure mounts to avert a looming devolution disaster.
