Sh3bn not a bribe, say Kisumu ward reps
What you need to know:
- MPs link release of funds to planned referendum by senators.
- We deserve every cent of increased funds given by Senate, assert assembly.
Members of county assemblies on Tuesday denied claims by MPs that an additional Sh3 billion in salaries and allowances given to them by the Senate was a bribe to back the latter’s referendum push.
The Senate last week ordered the Council of Governors to use a Sh27.9 billion ceiling on recurrent expenditure for MCAs in this year’s budgets, up from the Sh24.9 billion set by the Commission on Revenue Allocation.
The move has been seen by many as an attempt to win MCAs to the senators’ side in the supremacy wars pitting them against the National Assembly.
County Assemblies Forum Secretary-General Albert Kochai on Tuesday said the request for more funds was a genuine concern that was long overdue.
He was supported by Bomet Speaker Kipng’etich Korir, who said they asked for the funds in April, long before the senators’ referendum push.
“The notion that we are getting the Sh3 billion because of a planned referendum is completely unfounded. MCAs deserve much more than the Commission on Revenue Allocation gives us. For assemblies to be as effective as Parliament in their oversight role, they should have financial support,” said Mr Kochai in a phone interview on Tuesday.
UNIQUE CHALLENGES
Mr Korir, who revealed the MCAs had asked for an additional Sh4.6 billion, said assemblies had unique challenges.
“The claims by the MPs are mere propaganda. In fact, the law allows us to seek the Senate’s ear on this. I commend the Senate for standing up for devolution,” he said.
Most of the funds will go towards sitting allowances for MCAs and assembly staff, as well as domestic and foreign travel allowances.
In a letter dated June 24, the Senate Committee on Finance said the additional funds will ensure “effective functioning of both arms of government at the county level”.
In the new ceilings, assemblies will spend another Sh331 million on speakers’ salaries and Sh263 million on salaries and other interests for deputy speakers.
A total Sh5 billion will be used to pay 4,150 staff working in MCAs’ ward offices.
On Tuesday, Mr Kochai said the decision to go to the Senate for more funds was made “after all other avenues had failed”.
“The need to have more funds at the disposal of counties is a concern that has been there for a while,” said Mr Kochai.
