MCAs threaten to down tools over Sh21.8bn ward fund Bill
Nairobi's Kayole South Ward Representative Fredrick Okeyo (left) and Mr Lystone Ambundo from Central Ward in Kakamega address the media at Ridgeview Gardens on Kiambu Road on April 22, 2018. The ward reps threaten to down their if Treasury and Controller of Budget don't support the ward fund bill. PHOTO | ERIC WAINAINA | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- If the County Wards Development Equalisation Bill is passed, each county will receive Sh15m annually.
- Controller of Budget has also opposed the Bill.
Reps threaten to boycott sessions, suspending budget making processes and halt their contributions to the County Assembly Forum.
Ward representatives have threatened to suspend their work if Treasury and the Controller of Budget fail to support a proposal to create a national Ward Development Fund.
This is after the National Treasury, through Mr Nelson Gaichuhie, the Chief Administrative Secretary, opposed the County Wards Development Equalisation Bill 2018, saying it claws back the fiscal powers of county executives.
The bill is the brainchild of Murang’a Senator Irungu Kang’ata.
It seeks to establish a Sh21.8 billion development kitty for all wards in the country, with each of the 1,450 wards receiving Sh15 million annually.
Controller of Budget Agnes Odhiambo also opposed the Bill, saying county assemblies have the necessary powers to ensure its objectives are achieved.
BOYCOTT
On Sunday, over 120 elected MCAs from 35 counties and from different parties — including Deputy Speakers, Majority Leaders and Whips — met at Ridgeview Gardens on Kiambu Road and requested that the bill be approved.
They said that if this is not done, they would suspend their work, including boycotting sessions, suspending budget making processes, and halting their contributions to the County Assembly Forum.
They accused the forum’s leadership of failing to actively marshal support for the bill.
Nairobi’s Kayole South Ward Rep Fredrick Okeyo said they would explore all avenues to have the bill approved, including petitioning President Uhuru Kenyatta during the Devolution conference which starts today in Kakamega. If all fail, they would suspend work, he said.
“Tomorrow (Monday), MCAs will sign a petition which will be handed to the President (at the conference), asking him to see to it that the bill passes,” Mr Okeyo said.
Murang’a Deputy Speaker Samuel Kihurunjo, who is also the Gitugi MCA, said if Treasury and CoG continue opposing the bill, they would move motions to stop county business in June.
Other Ward Reps who spoke in support of the bill included Kieru Wambui (Gatimu Ward, Nyandarua County), and Lystone Ambundo (Central Ward, Kakamega). Kiambaa MP Paul Koinange also backed the bill.
