Executive, ward reps lock horns over late projects

Assembly members and county executives in western Kenya have locked horns following claims of non-performance.

While MCAs accused the ministers of failing to beat deadlines in completion of projects in wards, the executive blamed the delays on lack of facilitation.

As a result, Kisumu, Busia and Kakamega assemblies have recommended the auditing of all executive committee members, with those found to be ineffective sacked.

Kisumu Assembly Committee on Implementation chairwoman Marlin Akinyi said most of the executives had turned to politicking instead of promoting development.

In a report tabled before the House last week, Ms Akinyi said they were dissatisfied with the progress in completion of various projects in the county.

“The team will not hesitate to recommend the sacking of non-performing executive committee members and staff,’ she said.
Busia MCAs said they would move motions that seek to sack the non-achieving ministers for failure to implement laws passed by the Assembly.

Mr Dick Omukaga, the Amukura East ward representative, said the move is the only surest way of cushioning assembly members from voters’ wrath.

“We cannot sit and pass laws that are disregarded by members of the executive. Impeachment is the only option,” said Mr Omukaga.

HIRING OF AMBULANCES

The Kakamega Assembly had summoned the county executive for health, Ms Elsie Muhanda, over failure to brief the House’s Health committee on the hiring of six ambulances.

The ward reps said her decision was a breach of procurement process and summoned her to appear before the committee to explain her reasons for disregarding their role.

However, a section of the county executives said they lacked vehicles to inspect projects and the long procurement processes delayed their completion.

The Kisumu county executive for Tourism, Dr Rose Kisia, added that:

“Our offices have limited members of staff and that has also hindered faster realisation of most of these projects. A majority also require time,” said Dr Kisia who also chairs county tourism executive members committee.

Similarly, Ms Akinyi said that there was need to have executive committee members and assembly should work closely to assist the county achieve its goal.

“Performance of each executive committee member should be appraised. Some executive committee members have vested interest in the county development contracts,” she said.

She added: “There have been no reports complied by the county executives on some of the project going on under their dockets.”