Governor refuses to give Sh6m to each rep

Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua addresses a press conference over the striking health workers on September 2, 2015. Governor Gachagua has again refused to award each ward representative Sh6 million for ward development. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Speaking to the Nation on Tuesday, Mr Gachagua said the ward representatives contravened the law by appointing themselves the implementers of the fund.
  • On October 1, Nyeri County Assembly unanimously passed a Bill on ward development to give each of the 30 elected members Sh6 million from November.

Governor Nderitu Gachagua has again refused to award each ward representative Sh6 million for ward development.

Speaking to the Nation on Tuesday, Mr Gachagua said the ward representatives contravened the law by appointing themselves the implementers of the fund.

“They must first remove their names from the committees. County assembly members cannot be patrons of the fund, this is unconstitutional,” he said.

Governor Gachagua told the assembly in a memorandum that a team must be set up to oversee the fund. He said members of the ward committee should be elected by voters.

The governor also said that some sub-locations, which had been left out must be included before he signs a Bill to give out the money.

On October 1, Nyeri County Assembly unanimously passed a Bill on ward development to give each of the 30 elected members Sh6 million from November.

Thirty ward committees must be formed to identify projects on which the money will be spent.

MEDIA BARRED
But the chairman of the county assembly committee, which is pushing for the fund, Mr Anthony Kibuu, said that the governor has no power to reject the Bill. He accused Mr Gachagua of derailing development.

“Two thirds of members have voted for it so it is now the law whether he likes it or not,” he said.

At the same time, the Nyeri branch Jubilee Alliance Party has condemned the county assembly for barring the Nation Media Group from covering its proceedings.

Interim chairman Wambugu Nyamu and other officials said it is a move to cover up corruption in the assembly. 

“We are warning the Speaker that we are watching and we shall hold him liable for the mess that we are seeing in this county. We demand the immediate reinstatement of the Nation Media Group in the media gallery unconditionally, failure to which we shall deal with them,” said Mr Nyamu.

Nyeri residents also took to Facebook to express outrage following last week’s expulsion on the media house from the assembly.

Ms Sarah Gicheru said: “The media is not a public relations arm of the government. Silencing it or barring it from doing its job means they (MCAs) are not open to criticism that comes with public office.

On Nyeri Yetu Facebook page, Mercy Muthoni Ndigirigi said: “ No! What is so private?”

“These MCAs know how to fill their stomachs. Come 2017 we will shave them without water. So greedy,” said James Mwangi.