County accused of holding on to development cash by manager
Kisumu City manager Ms Doris Ombara (centre) exchanges documents for the provision of street lighting project with Engineer Godfrey Otieno (left) on September 9, 2014 as Governor Jack Ranguma looks on. PHOTO | JACOB AWITI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
Governor Jack Ranguma on Tuesday denied the allegations, saying the money was released last week.
Due to delays in setting up a city management board, Ms Ombara’s office has largely been ceremonial with no clear roles.
The row has also brought to the fore what Kisumu Senator Anyang’ Nyong’o last week said was a deliberate delay to form the board.
A row is brewing between the management of Kisumu City and the county government over complaints that the devolved unit was denying it cash.
Kisumu manager Doris Ombara has written to the County Assembly saying she had not received a cent of the Sh90 million budgeted for the city’s development this financial year.
Of the Sh142 million budgeted for recurrent expenditure, Ms Ombara said, she had only received Sh37 million.
“To get funding has been a tough and uphill task. It has involved pleading and begging,” said Ms Ombara in the letter dated January 25.
Ms Ombara asked the Assembly to help in the release of the funds, saying the situation was dire.
“A slaughterhouse has been closed, floodlights, water and electricity disconnected, and drainages blocked because we do not have money. For the last two weeks, the city borrowed fuel from the county environment team,” said Ms Ombara.
The letter is addressed to the county Speaker and copied to the environment executive and Secretary Humphrey Nakitare.
Due to delays in setting up a city management board, Ms Ombara’s office has largely been ceremonial with no clear roles.
CITY BOARD
Governor Jack Ranguma on Tuesday denied the allegations, saying the money was released last week.
He also said progress was being made in forming the city board.
“The County Public Service Board has advertised for the positions and the management board will be up and running soon,” he said.
The row has also brought to the fore what Kisumu Senator Anyang’ Nyong’o last week said was a deliberate delay to form the board.
Under the law, Kisumu town should be autonomous with powers to formulate policies and with a manager as chief executive.
The management board shall consist of not more than 11 members, six of them appointed through a competitive process by the county executive committee.
Other members will be from a professional association in the area, a member from informal associations and another from neighbourhood associations.
Another member shall be nominated by an association of urban areas and cities.
Kisumu is one of three towns recognised by the law on urban areas that are entitled to a budget hived off the total county allocation.
