Trans Nzoia County faces crisis as MCAs demand Sh690m for their fund
Trans Nzoia Governor Patrick Khaemba. He has alleged that two political leaders in the region have secretly petitioned the national government to disrupt his land titling programme. FILE PHOTO | JARED NYATAYA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The reps’ decision to alter the budget proposals and insert their fund is at the centre of the row.
- Governor Khaemba declined to assent to the budget and referred the matter to the Controller of Budget.
- Although the MCAs said the fund would bring development closer to residents, the executive maintains that the move is illegal.
- Deputy Governor Stanley Tarus echoed the sentiments, saying MCAs are not supposed to manage funds.
The Trans Nzoia County government may face a cash crunch if MCAs insist on including their Sh690 million Ward Development Fund in the 2015/2016 budget.
Governor Patrick Khaemba has refused to assent to the budget, and the Controller of Budget has also not approved it.
The reps’ decision to alter the budget proposals and insert their fund is at the centre of the row.
The MCAs slashed some “unimportant” vote heads in favour of their fund.
Governor Khaemba declined to assent to the budget and referred the matter to the Controller of Budget.
Plans for development may now be in a disarray as the executive and the ward reps maintain a hard-line stance.
Although the MCAs said the fund would bring development closer to residents, the executive maintains that the move is illegal.
“We are following up the matter with the Controller of Budget.
“By sneaking in the fund in the budget proposals, it is clear that MCAs erred,” said Governor Khaemba.
MCAS CAN'T MANGE FUNDS
Deputy Governor Stanley Tarus echoed the sentiments, saying MCAs are not supposed to manage funds.
“They cannot manage funds and at the same time carry out their oversight role,” said Dr Tarus.
But the budget committee chairman David Kisaka said they removed or reduced some vote heads, which do not affect residents’ lives directly.
“We had to do away with some allocations because they do not benefit the people,” he said.
Kaplamai Ward MCA Sam Mutuli said allocating the cash to the reps fund would boost development.
“The essence of the ward development fund is to finance projects at the grassroots.
“The executive should support us because we are helping in development,” said Mr Mutuli.
Projects earmarked for funding by the reps include road construction, acquisition of land, bursaries, water projects and establishment of cattle dips.
