Covid-19 fund: Nakuru MCAs state how Sh250m will be spent

Nakuru County Assembly has passed a motion that details how the Sh250 million Covid-19 emergency funds will be spent.

According to the supplementary budget, each of the 55 wards has been allocated Sh3.7 million while 30 most vulnerable wards that are homes to slum dwellers in the county have been allocated an additional Sh1.5 million each.

According to the motion sponsored by Kabazi MCA Peter Mbae, the House approved 13 stringent guidelines to be used by the executive to ensure the money benefits residents in the wards.

IDENTIFY BENEFICIARIES

“Procurement of all supplies should be done at the ward level and essential items should be exclusively sourced from the wards and in case of they are not available, the ward committee should approve sourcing from outside,” said Dr Mbae.

The guidelines have set April 20 as the deadline to identify beneficiaries. The list should be ready by April 24.

The motion further states that the funds may be used on foodstuffs, water, waste management, sanitisers, soap, gloves, face masks and farm inputs.

The guidelines stipulate that donations will be distributed according to the results of the 2019 population census report.

Lake View Ward MCA Karanja Mburu said in the spirit of devolution, services should be sourced at ward level.

“Solai Dam and Lake Nakuru helicopter tragedies were badly handled by the executive and public money was misused. This time around, anybody who will joke with this money will take personal responsibility as the ad hoc committee will be firm,” said Mr Mburu.

VALUE FOR MONEY

Maiella Ward MCA Joseph Kamanu Gathariki said even as the county intensifies its fight against Covid-19, the residents must get value for their money.

Viwandani MCA Erick Gichuki said if the funds are well used, lives will be transformed. He called for transparency in identifying the most vulnerable residents.

“Let us for once maintain accountability and transparency during this emergency period by observing equity and regional balance. We should involve community health workers volunteers, administrators and Nyumba Kumi committee members,” said Mr Gichuki.

Dundori Ward MCA Michael Chege Machembu said for the smooth distribution of food in the ward, the executive should stick to the guidelines and allow the ward committee to source essential items in the wards.

EMPOWER LOCALS

“This will empower the locals as the money will circulate in the ward where many have been rendered jobless,” said Mr Machembu.

Mr Eddy Kiragu (Flamingo) claimed that the county was full of cartels and individuals driven by selfish interests who want to take advantage of the situation to enrich themselves at the expense of the vulnerable population.

“This assembly shall not allow selfish individuals in the system to hijack the Covid-19 emergency funds to enrich themselves as we shall play our oversight role,” said Mr Kiragu.

Other ward reps who supported the motion include Mary Waiganjo (Subukia) and Njuguna Mwaura (Elburgon).