New Law Grants County Assemblies Financial Autonomy, Imwatok Commends Ruto
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Nairobi County Assembly Majority Leader Peter Imwatok has applauded President William Ruto for assenting to the County Public Finance Laws (Amendment) Act, 2023, which now paves the way for County Assemblies to manage their own funds.
Imwatok stated that the President had strengthened the Assemblies’ oversight mandate, noting that financial autonomy from county governors was long overdue.
“I want to commend President William Ruto for this positive gesture. It is something worth celebrating and marks a major milestone in the journey of devolution. Our role is clearly outlined in Articles 185 and 196 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, but I can tell you for free—it was difficult to perform our oversight role effectively because we were still at the mercy of the County Executive for the release of funds,” Imwatok said in a statement.
The new law allows County Assemblies to receive a portion of the funds directly from the County Revenue Accounts, granting them financial independence from governors.
“Governors must now prepare for real oversight—no mercy, no blackmail. We shall do our job,” he added.
Imwatok also raised concerns over the exclusion of County Assembly leadership from the official signing ceremony. He said he and other County Assembly Forum (CAF) leaders had been prepared to address the media after the signing, but State House had not routed the invitation through CAF or the Speaker’s office.
At today’s event held at the Homa Bay State Lodge, neither CAF nor the County Assemblies Speakers’ Association (CASA) were present to witness the signing of the crucial Bill into law.
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