Nakuru MCAs question Sh269mn for assembly uplift

Nakuru county politicians have asked Governor Kinuthia Mbugua not to approve a Sh269 million budget allocation after they raised questions about it.

In particular, the MCAs have rejected the allocation for the construction of a Sauna, a Jacuzzi, a swimming pool and a gym at the County Assembly contained in the 2016/2017 budget, items they say are not necessary.

“We would like to say that the assembly has all the facilities that we require while around and there is nothing that needs to be added,” Kamara Ward MCA Ngware Ng’ang’a said on Wednesday.

He was among MCAs who addressed the media barely a week after the county assembly passed the Sh15 billion Nakuru County 2016/2017 budget estimates with a few amendments.

The MCAs also questioned a further allocation of Sh133 million to an unspecified vote appearing as ‘others’ in the budget schedule.

Key allocations in the new financial year's budget include Sh3.8 billion for the health sector, Sh27.2 million for the recruitment of nurses and clinical officers on contractual basis and laboratory technicians on permanent basis, Sh63.4 million for the absorption of 35 intern doctors, Sh21.1 million for recruitment of 220 ECDE teachers on contract basis and Sh21.6 million for recruitment of 130 enforcement officers and 10 firefighters.

The county assembly was allocated Sh1.2 billion, which the protesting MCAs say was way above its needs.

On the spot is the County Assembly Speaker Ms Susan Kihika who the protesting MCAs say must shoulder the blame.

Also on the spot is the chairman of the assembly’s Budget committee Mr Moses Ndung’u accused of conniving with the Speaker to come up with what the MCAs described as an ‘outrageous budget.’

“The speaker has gone overboard to an extent of dictating salaries that should be paid to civil servants. It is not the role of the chairman of budget to structure the salaries for the village administrators as they are civil servants,” said Biashara ward MCA Mr Stephen Kuria.

The Speaker has also been accused of allocating too much money to foreign trips despite a directive by the president to cut down on the same.

“We are calling on the governor to take his stand and not approve the budget as it is exceeding the requirements by 70 per cent,” said Nominated MCA Catherine Waweru.

Ms Waweru added that on the budget committee had given recommended a Sh800 million budget for the Nakuru County Assembly only for Sh1.2 billion to be allocated.

“Sh13 million has also been allocated for purchase of household equipment which is an addition to Sh7 million that was already allocated previously. Going by the budget, we shall be working beyond the recommendations by the Controller of Budget,” said Ms Waweru.

The MCAs also claimed that the county assembly was still paying the head of ICT Mr Mwangi Muturi who has been out of the country for a long time.

Responding, however, county assembly clerk Mr Joseph Malinda termed the MCAs’ claims as ignorant and ‘a result of lack of understanding.’

“The MCAs are talking from a point of failure to understanding the budget or with aim of politicising the matters everything is clear on the budget,” said Mr Malinda.

MCAs had also questioned the county board allowances estimated at Sh15 million which they said was an avenue for plundering public resources since the board has only four members.

The county assembly clerk, however, explained that they were in the process of having an internal auditors committee that will be serviced by 7 members as part of the Sh15 million allocated to the board.

“We have been running the adverts for recruitment of the members and the Sh15 million is meant to cater for both the board and the committee,” he said.

Mr Malinda further refuted claims that ICT officer was still receiving a salary from the county assembly.

He said that Mr Muturi no longer worked for the county assembly as he had resigned in October 2015.