Mombasa Governor Abdullswamad Sherrif Nassir, has expressed grave concerns over the continued delay in the disbursement of funds from the exchequer to county governments, a situation that has now extended to three months.

Speaking during an event in Nyali, where he distributed cheques worth Ksh 25 million to Beach Management Units, the Governor emphasized the detrimental impact of these delays on the smooth functioning of devolved units.

Governor Nassir noted that while county governments are grappling with cash flow constraints due to delayed disbursements, certain leaders have been making misleading statements suggesting that counties are “returning” unspent funds to the national treasury.

He firmly dismissed these assertions, explaining that counties are not willingly “returning” funds but are being hampered by the national government’s failure to release the allocated resources in a timely manner.

“Let me be clear: counties are not returning funds to the exchequer. The reality is that the funds are not reaching us on time. This has created a backlog in payment of suppliers and implementation of critical projects, severely hampering service delivery,” Governor Nassir stated.

He further explained that counties across the country are currently facing unprecedented cash flow challenges, making it difficult to plan and execute key development initiatives.

The Governor pointed out that the delay in disbursement undermines the principles of devolution, which are meant to empower counties to address local needs efficiently.

During the cheque distribution ceremony, which saw Ksh 25 million allocated to various Beach Management Units in Nyali, the Governor reiterated his administration’s commitment to supporting local communities, particularly those that rely on coastal and marine activities for their livelihoods.

The funds are expected to bolster the operations of these units, enhance sustainability, and support efforts to protect the marine ecosystem.

Governor Nassir called on the National Treasury to expedite the release of funds to ensure counties can meet their financial obligations and implement projects critical to local development.

He underscored the importance of timely disbursements for the realization of the government’s agenda on service delivery, infrastructure development, and economic growth.

The Governor’s remarks have brought to light the ongoing financial challenges facing county governments and the urgent need for improved coordination between the national and county levels of government to ensure that devolution delivers on its promise to the people

"Delays in disbursement are not just a financial issue; they are a governance issue. When we are unable to access the funds that rightfully belong to the counties, the people who suffer the most are our constituents,” Governor Nassir concluded.

The remarks come at a time when county governments are increasingly vocal about their financial struggles, highlighting the urgent need for a review of the disbursement process to avoid further disruption of services.

The National Treasury is yet to respond to the Governor’s concerns.