Abdul Haro Kore Pushes for Urgent Reforms to Save Equalization Fund

The Hon. Abdul Haro Kore has raised concern over what he describes as the gradual weakening of the Equalization Fund, warning that unless urgent fiscal and governance reforms are undertaken, the constitutional initiative risks expiring without achieving its intended purpose.

Speaking on the state of the Fund, the Mandera South legislator said the Equalization Fund was originally envisioned as a transformative instrument meant to uplift historically marginalized regions through improved access to water, roads, health services, and electricity. However, years after its establishment, he argues that the Fund has largely been undermined by Treasury delays, bureaucratic inefficiencies, political interference, and policy decisions that diluted its impact.

“The Equalization Fund’s story is one of a well-intentioned constitutional instrument undermined by Treasury inaction, bureaucratic delay, political manipulation, and a controversial regulatory expansion that has spread thin resources across 34 counties instead of concentrating impact on the 14 most marginalized,” Kore stated.

The lawmaker expressed concern that the Fund, which was specifically created to bridge historical inequalities in neglected areas, has failed to deliver meaningful transformation because resources have been stretched too widely. According to Kore, the original spirit of the Constitution was to prioritize the counties and communities that had suffered decades of exclusion from national development.

He noted that while the Fund had the potential to become one of the country’s most powerful tools for social justice and equitable growth, administrative bottlenecks and delayed disbursement of funds have slowed critical projects in vulnerable areas.

Kore observed that communities in arid and semi-arid regions continue to struggle with inadequate infrastructure, poor healthcare systems, water scarcity, and limited access to essential services despite the existence of the Equalization Fund. He argued that these regions cannot wait indefinitely for promises that remain trapped in policy documents and government procedures.

The MP also faulted what he termed as political manipulation surrounding the Fund, saying some leaders had turned a constitutional development instrument into a battleground for competing interests instead of focusing on the needs of marginalized citizens.

According to the legislator, the expansion of beneficiary counties from the original 14 to 34 significantly weakened the Fund’s effectiveness by spreading already limited resources too thinly. He warned that such decisions undermined the core purpose of addressing historical injustices in the most underserved areas.

“With the 2030 sunset clause approaching, there is real danger that the Fund could expire before fulfilling its founding promise,” he cautioned.

Kore has now called for immediate reforms to streamline governance structures, ensure timely release of funds by the National Treasury, and protect the Fund from political interference. He insists that unless urgent action is taken, millions of Kenyans living in marginalized regions will continue to suffer from poverty and underdevelopment despite constitutional safeguards meant to uplift them.

The Mandera South MP further emphasized that equitable development is not a favour but a constitutional obligation that must be implemented faithfully. He said the country cannot speak about national unity and inclusive growth while large sections of the population continue to lack basic services.

Observers say Kore’s remarks reflect growing frustration among leaders from marginalized counties who believe the Equalization Fund has not been utilized effectively to transform lives. Many have echoed calls for accountability, transparency, and policy clarity to ensure resources reach the intended beneficiaries.

As debate over equitable distribution of national resources continues across the country, Abdul Haro Kore’s position underscores the urgent need to revisit the management and implementation of the Equalization Fund before time runs out.

For many communities in northern Kenya and other historically neglected regions, the Fund still represents hope — hope for roads, schools, healthcare, clean water, and dignity. Whether that hope is realized before 2030 may ultimately depend on the political will and reforms that leaders choose to pursue today.