The national government has reaffirmed its commitment to timely and adequate funding of counties as part of a broader strategy to enhance service delivery and accelerate development across the country.
Speaking during the 27th sitting of the Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC) held at the Deputy President’s official residence in Karen, Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki emphasized the importance of strengthening intergovernmental relations to address urgent national and county-level priorities.
The meeting brought together governors, cabinet secretaries, representatives of independent commissions, and other senior government officials. Key issues discussed included resource allocation, resolving pending bills, expanding public health insurance, and fast-tracking the completion of County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs).
“Strengthening intergovernmental relations is key to optimizing service delivery,” Kindiki stated, noting that effective collaboration between the two levels of government was essential for economic transformation at the grassroots.
The forum resolved to expedite the rollout of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in partnership with counties, recognizing their crucial role in delivering primary healthcare. Stakeholders also emphasized the urgency of clearing pending bills to revive stalled projects and support local businesses.
County Aggregation and Industrial Parks, a key component of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), were highlighted as a top priority, with a renewed push for their completion to create jobs and boost local value addition.
The IBEC meeting signaled renewed national commitment to ensuring that counties receive the financial and technical support they need to fulfill their mandates to the people.
