The Council of Governors (CoG) claims that the 90-day wait for the distribution of cash to the devolved units is having a negative impact on operations and could force county governments to close if appropriate action is not taken.

CoG believes that the reduced shareable revenue as a result of the Finance Bill, 2024’s withdrawal—which it claims would have far-reaching implications—has further exacerbated the delay in the release of the cash.

The shareable of the venues would also be impacted by the Ksh. 380 billion that was previously granted by the National Assembly through the Supplementary Budget, according to Fernandes Barasa, Chairperson of the CoG Finance Committee.

The governor of Kericho, Eric Mutai, continued, saying: “Counties are frequently forced to have four-month-long arrears, and this year is no better than previous years.” This is a result of the fact that no administration since devolution has progressed to the necessary level.

The Council of Governors is being forced to warn of impending reduced operations and service delivery because to the outcry over the financial crunch.

“I’m calling on my colleagues to maximize Own Source Revenue as the only remedy, and we just want to warn the counties that it won’t be business as usual,” Barasa stated.

Since the beginning of devolution, counties have faced two main difficulties: first, there have been delays in the timely release of finances; second, successive administrations have shown little to no interest in fully delegating all powers.

In a horrific vehicle accident in the Migaa area near Salgaa, eight persons have been officially declared dead and 38 are being treated for various injuries.

A Coast Bus traveling from Kakamega to Mombasa at 4 a.m. on Tuesday was involved in an accident involving an unspecified number of passengers.

Fearing that more bodies might be trapped in the bus’s twisted wreckage, rescue operations got underway Tuesday morning.

Following the morning’s disaster, the Kenya Red Cross said that thirty-six individuals were receiving treatment at Coptic and Molo Hospitals and that it had deployed out response teams.

“Thirty-six injured individuals have been taken to Molo and Coptic Hospitals following a road traffic incident involving a PSV bus and multiple vehicles at Migaa in Molo, Nakuru County,” the Kenya Red Cross said in an X update. 

“The Kenya Red Cross, alongside a multi-agency response team, is still at the scene providing assistance.”

Police in Mwala, Machakos County, are looking into a report of a man hacking his neighbor on Sunday after the neighbor allegedly stole his charcoal.

The 35-year-old man committed the terrible act and then reported it to the Kathama police post, according to Mwala subcounty police chief Nancy Jerobon.

“It happened on August 11, 2024, at Kithuiani village in Ulaani sublocation, one adult namely Mathias Mwanzia Kitheka aged 35 years alleged that his charcoal had been stolen and he found out that his neighbour namely Attanus Mutiso Kithande aged 51 years was the one who stole it,” Jerobon said

Later, according to Jerobon, the suspect tracked down and hacked the deceased. He passed away right away.

“He had visible deep cuts on the head and broken left leg with blood all over his face. A blood-stained left open shoe was recovered from the suspect’s house,” the police boss added.

According to her, when police officers from the Kathama police post arrived on the scene, they discovered that Kithande had been brought to his home and had passed away from the injuries he sustained.

He was bleeding profusely on his face, with evident serious cuts on his head and a fractured left leg. From the suspect’s residence, a blood-stained left open shoe was found,” the police chief remarked.

The body was taken to the mortuary of Matuu Level 4 hospital in the Yatta subcounty while an autopsy was conducted.

Jerobon stated that the suspect’s court appearance is scheduled on Monday.

She claimed that inquiries into the event had been started by the Mwala police station’s Directorate of Criminal investigations detectives.

The Migori County government constructed thirty health facilities ten years ago, but they haven’t been put into use yet. The dispensaries located in each ward of the county comprise the non-operationalized health institutions.

One of the medical facilities that hasn’t been used for several years after it was finished is Oore Dispensary.

This dispensary, which offered hope to Oore residents who struggle to get health care, is still closed.

Oore resident Phenius Olunga claims that the dispensary’s construction was finished under the administration of former governor Okoth Obado. The public has never been able to use it.

Olunga continues, saying they still don’t know why the facility can’t be used.

Julius Awuor Nyerere, a member of the Department of Health’s Migori County Executive Committee, stated to the media that thirty medical facilities nationwide are still not operating.

Nyerere clarified, however, that the administration is setting up the required personnel and equipment as part of the operationalization plan.

According to him, the facilities cannot be opened until the required equipment has been acquired.

An update on the multi-million shilling forex trade scam in Eldoret has been given by Acting Police Inspector General Gilbert Masengeli, who has emphasized that police are actively investigating the issue and that those found guilty will face prosecution.

Masengeli’s promise corresponds with the recording of a statement by Eldoret police from Dominion Church bishop Caleb Mwania concerning his acquaintance and knowledge of the purported scam mastermind, Ambrose Makech Abuti, which has left hundreds of people tallying their losses.

After Bishop Mwania affixed his statement, The man of God insisted that he had not anticipated Abuti’s outcome.

“He used to play music in the church. I have not involved myself in any indecent and immoral acts,” said Bishop Mwania.

Mwania claims that Ksh. 4 million has been lost by the church as a result of the now-failed investments. The bishop further asserts that Abuti has caused losses to members of his own family.

Since then, the bishop has been questioned by the police and has given them a statement on the subject.

Masengeli informed the public that the police had taken charge of the situation, which prompted Mwania to interact with them.

The police gave their assurance, but not much has been done to apprehend the suspect—who is still at large almost a week after his activities were made public.

Abuti’s victims claim Eldoret police are preventing his arrest and prosecution, and it appears that his phone numbers have been deactivated.

The Uasin Gishu county government has, however, advised citizens to do their research before participating in such schemes.