President Ruto Announces Full Payment to Counties, Reaffirms Commitment to Devolution
He revealed that over the past 12 years since devolution was introduced, the government has disbursed a cumulative total of Ksh4 trillion to counties, ensuring that every part of Kenya benefits from functional devolved governance
Last Updated on August 13, 2025 by Turkana County News Online
President William Ruto has announced that the national government has settled all outstanding funds owed to county governments, effectively closing the books for the recently concluded financial year.
Speaking at the Devolution Conference in Homa Bay on Wednesday, President Ruto framed the move as a testament to his administration’s dedication to strengthening devolution, despite fiscal constraints.
He revealed that over the past 12 years since devolution was introduced, the government has disbursed a cumulative total of Ksh4 trillion to counties, ensuring that every part of Kenya benefits from functional devolved governance.
“Despite operating within a tough fiscal space, the government has cleared all balances owed to counties in the just-ended financial year,” said President Ruto. “In the 12 years since the birth of devolution, we have transferred a total of Sh4 trillion to counties. Every corner of Kenya now has a functional county government.”
While acknowledging financial limitations, the President stressed that sufficient resources exist to deliver meaningful services to citizens. He emphasized that the greater challenge lies not in the scarcity of funds but in ensuring their efficient and effective utilization.
“While we may not have all the resources we desire, we have enough to deliver meaningful services to our people,” he stated. “Our greatest challenge is not the inadequacies of resources but how we utilise what we have.”
The announcement comes amid ongoing discussions on fiscal responsibility and equitable resource distribution between the national and county governments. President Ruto’s remarks were seen as reinforcing his administration’s support for devolution while calling for improved accountability in county spending.
The Devolution Conference, attended by governors, senators, and other leaders, continues to deliberate on strategies to enhance service delivery and governance at the grassroots level.
