Last Updated on January 25, 2025 by NewsTurkana
LODWAR— Turkana County Assembly is at the heart of a financial storm as Speaker Christopher Nakuleu locks horns with Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai over the delayed disbursement of crucial funds.
Tensions between the two leaders have escalated, with Nakuleu sounding the alarm over the growing impact of halted disbursements on the county’s operations and service delivery.
In a fiery letter addressed to Governor Lomorukai on January 21, 2025, Nakuleu condemned the delay in funds, warning that it was crippling constitutional activities and hampering the County assembly’s service delivery.
“I wish to bring to your attention the notable delay in funds disbursements to the County assembly,leading to a halt to constitutional activities and impacting service delivery,” Nakuleu wrote
Nakuleu went further to demand action to address the issue. In his letter, he called for the formation of a special committee within the next seven days. This committee, he suggested, should consist of equal representatives from both the County Assembly and the County Executive. Its mission? To identify the root cause of the delay and find solutions.
Among the committee’s key tasks, Nakuleu outlined a thorough investigation into pending requests at the Controller of Budget’s office and a review of disbursements from November 2024. He also called for an inquiry into payments approved by the Controller of Budget but not forwarded for disbursement by the County’s Finance Executive Committee Member (CECM).
The timing of Nakuleu’s strong words comes amidst growing concerns over the financial health of Turkana County. Recently, the county was listed among the top 10 with the highest pending bills, a troubling statistic that highlights the county’s escalating debt crisis.
According to data from the Office of the Controller of Budget, Turkana accumulated a staggering Ksh 4.78 billion in pending bills during the 2023/2024 financial year. This places the county in the company of other regions struggling with unsustainable debt loads.
The ripple effect of these unpaid bills is being felt across the county. Contractors, suppliers, and service providers have faced mounting operational difficulties as essential projects grind to a halt. From crucial infrastructure works to vital services in water, education, and healthcare, the county’s stalled initiatives are taking a toll on its citizens.
County officials point to delayed disbursements from the national government and limited local revenue as the root causes of the financial gridlock. But despite these external challenges, there is increasing pressure on the county leadership to improve its budgeting processes, clear the mounting arrears, and prevent further debt from accumulating.
As the financial standoff continues between Speaker Nakuleu and Governor Lomorukai, the people of Turkana are left waiting—hoping for a resolution that will allow critical services to resume and their county’s economic recovery to begin.
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