Governors seek two more weeks to spend Sh40b
National
By
Bernard Lusigi
| Jul 02, 2025
The Council of Governors (CoG) has called on the national government and the Office of the Controller of Budget to extend the closure of the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) by two weeks to facilitate the absorption of the counties' Sh40 billion equitable share.
The CoG said the funds have been pending for some time, and the financial year ended on June 30, stating that unspent money, which usually returns to the exchequer, hinders the progress of key development at the grassroots level.
The CoG, through its Finance, Planning, and Economic Affairs Committee Chairperson and Kakamega Governor, Fernandes Barasa, called on the National Treasury and the Controller of Budget to extend the opening of IFMIS to July 15, 2025, to absorb the funds for settling pending bills.
"Through the office of the Minister for the National Treasury and Controller of Budget, I want to request you to extend the closure of IFMIS so that we can get approvals in time to settle the payment of outstanding contractors," said Barasa.
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Governor Barasa said the extension of the closure of IFMIS by two weeks will enable counties to absorb the money and plan for development.
"The financial year has ended and without the extension of IFMIS it will be difficult to pay our contractors starting 1st July and therefore the only way to pay and settle pending bills is for the IFMIS to be extended by two weeks so that we can pay contractors, workers and implement most our key development projects," said Barasa.
Barasa highlighted the importance of flexibility in financial systems to accommodate the unique and recurring transaction challenges faced by devolved units, particularly towards the end of the financial year.
Barasa, who was speaking during the launch of Sh17million Butere Hatchery Farm in Butere Constituency, lauded the Cabinet Secretary for Treasury, John Mbadi, for releasing the equitable share for the month of June on time.
"I want to commend our CS Mbadi for releasing the money for June, this now shows the goodwill of our President and his government in supporting devolution so that people at the grassroots level can get services uninterrupted," said Barasa.
However, Barasa said the hatchery farm that produces 10,000 chicks every 21 days will boost the livelihood of farmers at the grassroots level and boost the area's economy.
"One of the pillars of my manifesto is wealth creation and agriculture, and what we are launching today is part of my manifesto. This hatchery farm is going to produce over 10,000 chicks in 21 days, which we will distribute to our farmers for rearing so that they can sustain themselves by improving their livelihood and boosting our county's economy," said Barasa.
He added, "We are breaking barriers to profitable poultry farming in Kakamega by providing improved kienyeji breeds, boosting nutrition, and raising farmer incomes, aligned with our food security and wealth creation agenda. The solar-powered facility will produce up to 10,000 chicks every 21 days, creating jobs and empowering farmers to turn poultry farming into a thriving enterprise. My administration is walking with our farmers through training, grants, and better market access, because when our people grow, Kakamega grows."
Barasa acknowledged the help of the Kenya Livestock Commercialisation Project (KELCOP) for their valuable partnership in supporting this project, and for working closely with the county to enhance livestock-based livelihoods in Kakamega.