Embu assembly members go on break over cash shortage

What you need to know:

  • Budget Committee Chairman Joseph Nyaga said the assembly had a debt of Sh39 million, which could rise to Sh100 million in a few days.
  • The reps have not been getting tea and snacks while petrol stations have declined to supply diesel for a standby generator due to failure to pay for previous supplies.
  • Early this year, Governor Martin Wambora said the county assembly had spent Sh400 million on salaries, exceeding their budget ceiling by Sh150 million.

Members of the Embu County Assembly have gone on a two-week recess following a cash crisis that has held up their work.

Budget Committee Chairman Joseph Nyaga said the assembly had a debt of Sh39 million, which could rise to Sh100 million in a few days.

He said the members had exhausted the Sh250 million allocated to them by the county government, after a budget ceiling was imposed by the Commission on Revenue Allocation.

A source at the assembly said ward staff and suppliers had not been paid for the last nine months. The source further said rent for members’ offices for the same period had also not been paid.

The reps have not been getting tea and snacks while petrol stations have declined to supply diesel for a standby generator due to failure to pay for previous supplies. The internet was disconnected due to unpaid bills.

FAIL TO PAY

The source said the assembly cannot afford to buy water for use by members during plenary sittings and may also fail to pay salaries for members and core staff from this month.

According to the source, members who took car loans and mortgages may be penalised by banks for not paying.

Early this year, Governor Martin Wambora said the county assembly had spent Sh400 million on salaries, exceeding their budget ceiling by Sh150 million.

He said the assembly, therefore, had no moral authority to discredit his government.

Mr Nyaga said the Executive had been adamant to hold talks on the revision of the expenditure caps.

He said assembly members had resorted to begging for retreats from the Executive to earn per diems to keep them going.