By Mandere Onyinkwa
Governors have demanded that Universal Health Coverage (UHC) funds be included in the equitable share for the 2026/2027 financial year, rejecting proposals to classify them as conditional grants.
Appearing before the Senate Finance Committee chaired by Mandera Senator Captain Ali Roba, Council of Governors chair Ahmed Abdulahi warned that conditional grants often suffer delays, sparking industrial action in counties.
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He insisted that safeguarding UHC resources through the Division of Revenue Bill would guarantee timely absorption of staff and uninterrupted service delivery.
The Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) backed the governors’ position, recommending KSh 458.9 billion for counties, including KSh 8.9 billion earmarked for UHC staff.
CRA chairperson CPA Mary Chebukati stressed that no county should receive less than its previous allocation, dismissing the Cabinet’s proposal of KSh 420 billion as inadequate.
According to CRA, the figure fails to account for incremental salaries estimated at KSh 5.9 billion, as well as unbundled functions worth KSh 65 billion already gazetted.
Governors, however, are pushing for a higher allocation of KSh 534.97 billion, citing the Salaries and Remuneration Commission’s circular on salary increases across the public service, which would cost counties an additional KSh 10 billion.
Senators, meanwhile, have argued that UHC funds should remain conditional grants to prevent diversion, setting up a clash with governors who insist on equitable share.
Pending bills also featured prominently in the governors’ submissions, with calls for timely release of funds to avert service disruptions.
The Senate is expected to meet Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi later this week to deliberate on the proposals, with governors requesting to be part of the discussions.
President William Ruto has already promised an increase of KSh 35 billion in the 2026/2027 financial year, but governors say the equalisation policy must also be reviewed to address marginalisation in certain regions.
