Nyeri County assembly coffers run dry after budget stalemate

The Nyeri County assembly is operating in debt after their monthly recurrent budget was reduced following the ongoing budget stalemate.

This has forced the assembly to schedule a meeting with the Controller of Budget to explain the circumstances surrounding the reduction of money.

The assembly requisitioned for Sh45 million in July but received Sh24 million, which affected the payment of suppliers and pending bills.

Suppliers have been calling the clerk’s office demanding for payment but have been asked to wait for the issue to be resolved.

“We have been receiving calls from various suppliers. We have asked them to give us time because our accounts are dry,” said a source close to the clerk’s office.

Assembly Clerk Jenard Mwiggeh, however, refused to comment on the matter.

BLAMED GACHAGUA

Leader of Majority Duncuan Gituanja accused Governor Nderitu Gachagua of slashing the assembly’s budget to cripple its operations.

“It was a deliberate move by the governor to reduce the money so that we grind to a halt. Nonetheless, we will not be intimidated,” he said.

MCAs and assembly staff received their July salaries last week but are yet to receive their allowances.

Speaker David Mugo said the county assembly service board was also planning to meet the Senate Finance Committee.

“We want to meet with the finance committee so that we understand why we cannot access our funds,” he said.

The assembly is pushing to receive a direct funding from the National Treasury as is the case with the National Assembly.

Traditionally, the money is deposited in the county treasury then transferred to the assembly’s account.

County Executive for Finance Charles Githinji, however, said the money the county assembly received was enough to pay contractors and suppliers.

NO SITTING ALLOWANCES

“The money they received is enough to pay their sitting allowances, their security guards and other services they receive,” he said.

The MCAs would, however, not be paid per diems and board meeting allowances until the budget stalemate is resolved, he said.

According to Dr Githinji, the Controller of Budget had termed the allowances as non-essential services, noting that the county government had not been left out in the budget reduction.

“We are also not receiving those allowances and we will not, until we resolve the budget standoff. The Controller of Budget will not release money unless it is meant for an essential service,” he said.

He further defended the governor against claims that he had interfered with assembly’s budget.