KBC Channel 1

Tag: National Government

  • State releases Ksh 950M to compensate victims of human-wildlife conflict

    State releases Ksh 950M to compensate victims of human-wildlife conflict

    The National Government has released Ksh 950 million to compensate victims of human-wildlife conflict across the country.

    Speaking at Ndolele area in Igembe North Sub-County, Meru County, during a meeting with residents, Senior KWS Assistant Director for the Eastern Conservation Area, John Wambua, confirmed that the funds have already been disbursed.

    He said the compensation will benefit individuals who reported incidents and duly filled in all the required compensation forms.

    Wambua further noted that Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) is constructing a 42-kilometre electric fence around Meru National Park to curb the movement of elephants and other wild animals into residential areas.

    He urged victims of human-wildlife conflict who have not yet submitted their bank details to do so at the nearest KWS warden offices.

    He clarified that compensation is processed by the government, not KWS, and that payments are made directly to victims’ bank accounts.

    Jacob Ouma, the Meru County Commissioner and Chairperson of the County Conservation and Compensation Committee, called on residents to provide accurate information when reporting incidents and filling out compensation forms.

    He warned that exaggerating the extent of damage or inflating property values could lead to disqualification from compensation.

    Residents Jeffrey Mugambi and John Kirimi appealed to KWS to support nearby public schools through corporate social responsibility initiatives, including drilling boreholes to address water shortages in the dry area.

    They also urged the management of Meru National Park to consider offering educational tours or free park visits to top-performing pupils from neighbouring public schools, to help them appreciate the importance of wildlife conservation.

  • Late disbursements hurt FY2023/24 half year budget spending

    Late disbursements hurt FY2023/24 half year budget spending

    Low budget absorption rates continues to stalk the government with development vote lagging recurrent budget.

    The Controller of Budget (CoB) report for the first half of 2023/24 fiscal year shows the government only spent a quarter of its development budget in the period between July and December.

    In the period under consideration, the government spent a total of Ksh 1.64 trillion which is 36.1pc of the revised gross budget estimates of Ksh 4.5 trillion.

    According to the report, the education sector was the biggest spender, with Ksh 308.2 billion already disbursed out of its total allocation of Ksh 690 billion.

    In the period under review the exchequer released Ksh 142 billion to the counties. CoB is also raising concerns with the high numbers unbudgeted items being tabled by ministries and state agencies. In the six months to December 2023, ministries and departments sought additional funds totaling Ksh 51 billion.

    These includes, Ksh 500 million for the purchase of E-Passport booklets, Ksh 1.5 billion for the KICC facelift, Ksh 660 billion to cater for settlement of Mau Forest evictees as well as Ksh 700 million for the construction of a modern Presidential dais at the State House gardens.

    However, only Ksh 3.3 billion was disbursed piling pressure on the pending bills owed to contractors. The stock of public debt increased by 8.4pc from Ksh 10.28 trillion as of June 30th 2023 to Ksh 11.14 trillion as of December 31,2023.

    This was driven by a spike in the portfolio of external debt which accelerated by 11.8pc on account of a weak shilling.

    The government disbursed a total of Ksh 598 billion towards public debt. External debt servicing amounted to Ksh 238 billion while domestic debt repayment was recorded at Ksh 360 billion.

    The office of the controller of budget is advocating for the timely release of exchequer funds and strict compliance with the set public debt ceiling to curb further growth in public debt.

  • Newsline: Odinga calls for collaboration between county and national governments

    Newsline: Odinga calls for collaboration between county and national governments

    Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga calls on both levels of government to collaborate for the prosperity of devolution as the devolution conference enters day two; Gender based violence mostly on the rise over the years in Busia County; stakeholders urge parents to be in the forefront in the fight against the vice; and Health partners in Siaya County organize a conference to devise strategies for enhancing the fight against the spread of HIV infections.

  • National Gov’t allocates cash strapped counties Ksh. 442.1B

    National Gov’t allocates cash strapped counties Ksh. 442.1B

    The 47 counties will receive Ksh. 385.4 billion from the equitable share of revenue raised nationally.

    Counties will also receive Ksh. 11 billion as additional conditional allocations and another Ksh. 33.2 billion as conditional allocation from development partners.

    Ksh. 12.5 billion has been set aside as unconditional allocation for the devolved units.

    This brings to Ksh. 442.1 billion the total amount allocated to counties in the 2023/2024 Budget Statement presented to Parliament by the National Treasury CS Prof. Njuguna Ndung’u Thursday.

    Part of this include Ksh. 425 million for the Transfer of Library Services being a devolved function and Ksh 2.9 billion as outstanding mineral royalties share to 32 County Governments as stipulated in the Mining Act, 2016.

    As stipulated by Article (204) of the Constitution, Ksh 7.9 billion has been allocated under the Equalization Fund in the Financial Year 2023/24.

    This represents 0.5 percent of the FY 2019/20 revenue which the National CS says is the most recent audited and approved revenue by the National Assembly.

    “In addition to this, we have allocated Ksh. 3 billion to cater for part arrears from the previous years bringing the total allocations under Equalization Fund to Ksh. 10.9 billion,” Prof. Ndung’u said.

    Nairobi County will receive the largest amount of equitable share after being allocated Ksh. 20 billion followed by Nakuru County at Ksh. 13.6 billion, Turkana County Ksh. 13.1 billion, Kakamega Ksh. 12.9, Kilifi Ksh. 12.1 billion, Mandera Ksh. 11.6 billion and Bungoma County Ksh. 11.1 billion.

    Lamu County has been allocated the least amount of equitable share which stands at Ksh. 3.2 billion followed by Elgeyo Marakwet County at Ksh. 4.8 billion, Taita Taveta Ksh. 5 billion while Embu, Nyamira and Vihiga Counties will each receive Ksh. 5.3 billion in equitable share.