MCAs pass mini budget without hitch

The County Assembly has approved the devolved government’s supplementary budget of Sh9.9 billion for Financial Year 2015/16.

On Tuesday, calm returned in the House after Speaker Thadius Rajwayi warned Members of the County Assembly he would take disciplinary action against whoever misbehaved in the House.

Last month, the Assembly was forced to adjourn after chaos broke out in the debate chamber following differences between Finance Committee Chairman Mohamed Hatimy and MCAs, who were in support of the Speaker.

Mr Hatimy did not participate in the session in which members unanimously approved the Sh9.9 billion supplementary budget.

Mtongwe MCA Hamisi Mwidani, a Finance Committee member, presented the proposed supplementary budget to the House.

He called on members to approve the budget as it was, saying it was fair and balanced.

Members then passed the budget without raising any objection as the Speaker praised the Executive for preparing a fair budget.

Later, Bamburi Ward Representative Riziki Fundi expressed his doubts on whether the devolved unit would be able to spend the approved funds since the current financial year was coming to an end.

Kadzandani MCA Mohamed Ndanda, however, said the budget was important as some projects had stalled due to lack of funds.

Nominated MCA Sarah Nyamvula said all the funds in the budget were already committed to development projects.

She said the approval of the budget by the Assembly was key to paving the way for the county government to spend the funds on both recurrent and development.