Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has warned governors against joining those criticising the Finance Bill 2023.
He said the Bill was a means to generate revenue which will be allocated to the counties for various development projects.
He spoke on Monday after the 20th Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC) in Karen.
The DP added that the county bosses should be on the same side as the national government on revenue collection, saying the state was not going to borrow money for expenditure.
“We have requested them (governors) even as others criticise measures that have been taken in the Finance Bill, the governors should be cautious of joining the choir,” he said,
“If we do not collect enough revenue, they are the ones who are going to have a problem.”
This comes a day after he warned MPs who will vote against the Bill.
On Sunday, Gachagua said MPs who oppose the Finance Bill should not ask for development in their areas.
He added that some leaders are telling Kenyans to reject the Finance Bill yet they want services from the government.
“If your MP advises you not to support the bill then they should not ask for roads in their areas,” he said while speaking in Narok.
Governors have been decrying delays in the disbursement of county funds.
During the IBEC, it was decided that governors will get April’s disbursement this week.
Gachagua said the arrears for the month of May will be released by June 19.
“We have explained to the governors the strains that the Treasury is undergoing in terms of the exchequer and they have understood,” Gachagua said.
The DP further added that the counties have received a total of Sh305 billion with outstanding arrears of Sh94 billion for the three months until June.
The budget for Financial Year 2023/24 is expected to be read on June 15. BY THE STAR