Nairobi County officials give conflicting beautification cost

Two Nairobi County officers presented to a committee conflicting figures of money set aside for the city’s beautification project.

The two officers are the County Executive Committee Member for Environment Mr Evans Ondieki and his Chief Officer Ms Leah Oyake.

Mr Ondieki claimed that sh131 million was set aside for the beautification of Nairobi when he appeared before the County Assembly Environment Committee on Tuesday.

“Sh131 million was transferred to our environment account,” Mr Ondieki said.

Ms Oyake however claimed the project had cost Sh48 million with the national government giving Sh25 million while the county allocated Sh23 million.

A document provided by the chief officer showed a different amount and stated that Sh43 million was required for the beautification leading the committee to question the purpose of the remaining Sh5 million.

The two appeared before the committee on Tuesday over allegations of misappropriation of funds set aside for the project.

They also gave conflicting figures presented to the national government as supplementary budget.

“Sh20 million was allocated in the 2014/2015 budget to cater for the beautification of the city. The amount was however not enough to undertake the intended work,” Ms Oyake said.

She said her department presented a supplementary budget of Sh180 million to the national government but was turned down and was only allocated Sh25 million.

She further claimed that the money had not yet been released by the national government.

But Mr Ondieki told the committee that they presented a Sh184 million supplementary budget to the national government and not Sh180 million as claimed by Ms Oyake.

Nairobi County Government recently embarked on beautification of the city ahead of US President Barack Obama visit.

Information posted on government's news website nexus.or.ke stated that the upgrade was set in motion in March when the Cabinet “resolved that Nairobi must be lit and beautified”.

State House says it had initiated the beautification programme long before President Obama announced his visit to Kenya.

The visit however gave it impetus and has had the county government running frantic to ensure it is completed before the Global Entrepreneurship Summit.

At least 3,000 participants are expected to attend the summit from across the world.