Mt Kenya is one of the most populated regions in the country. Leaders from the region have tried to maximise on this by pushing for one man, one shilling funding model. But data shows that the Mt Kenya counties received the least ammount of Equalisation fund allocation.
This fund is allocated by the National Government to provide basic needs and services to marginalised areas to be at par with other regions in Kenya. Hence the name Equalisation fund allocation to bring equality in the country.
However, the report from the National Assembly shows that Mt kenya received the lowest ammountfor the financial year ending in June 2024.
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The Committee identified 34 counties across the country that were to receive the funding, which will be used channelled towards the provision of water, roads, health facilities and electricity.
However, Only Laikipia, Meru, Murang’a, Nakuru and Tharaka Nithi from 11 Mt Kenya made the list of beneficiaries which has been popularised to be among the “shareholders” in the current government.
According to the report, Laikipia received Ksh. 126 Million, Meru received Ksh. 31 Million, Murang’a and Nakuru each receiving Ksh. 6 Millionand Tharaka Nithi receiving Ksh. 46 Million from the Equalisation fund.
Contrast to other counties, Mt Kenya region received the least ammount of funding of the counties that qualified for the allocation with North Eastern and Rift Valley regions getting Billions.
For instance, Turkana received Ksh1.2 billion while West Pokot has been given Ksh1 billion. Narok received Ksh812 million, Mandera received Ksh793 million, Wajir was given 768 million, Samburu 683 million, Garissa Ksh663 million and Baringo Ksh626 million.
The Mt Kenya leaders have however disagreed with the current allocation formula and trying to go back to thr BBI’s one man one shilling that aimed to protect densely populated regions to get more allocation.