Nakuru MCAs, executive clash over stalled projects

Nakuru County Assembly has suspended normal business to discuss a motion on status of development projects in the 55 wards.

In a motion sponsored by Leader of Majority Moses Ndung’u Kamau, the 78- member House is demanding a status report on all the projects in the wards from the executive.  

“We cannot continue to discuss any development matter without knowing the status of the approved projects,” said Mr Ndung’u.

The Elementaita MCA said that many infrastructural projects were pending despite the assembly passing one of the biggest development budget since the inception of devolution.

SH21.3 BILLION

The Assembly adopted a Sh21.3 billion budget for the 2019/2020 financial year.

The development expenditure was allocated Sh10.5 billion, 49 per cent of the total budget.

“This financial year is almost ending and projects have not been implemented in the wards,” said Speaker Joel Maina Kairu.

Kiamaina MCA Wahome Jambo Kenya said the delay in implementing development projects in the wards is worrying as the county failed to utilise Sh3.9 billion in the last financial year.

 “With this kind of delay this financial year, the county may return more than Sh3 billion to the National Treasury as projects have stalled at the wards,” said Mr Wahome.

Dundori MCA Michael Machembu said since 2017, the county has not installed a single floodlight despite the rising insecurity in the wards.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

“Money was appropriated and residents participated in public participation and the executive is now short-changing them by failing to implement the projects,” said Mr Machembu.

Naivasha East MCA Stanley Karanja claimed the county is ‘dying slowly’ due to bad leadership.

“All the projects we allocated funds in the 2019 -2020 budget must be implemented before we pass anything from the executive,” said Mr Karanja.

Lake View MCA Karanja Mburu said the restructuring of the procurement department by Governor Lee Kinyanjui was to blame for the delay in implementation of the projects.

“The chief officers are no longer aware of what is happening in the procurement department and constructing even a toilet in the ward is a big problem,” said Mburu.

CAUSING CONFUSION

He claimed that a deputy director of procurement, who is a close ally of Governor Kinyanjui, is calling the shots and causing confusion in the implementation of the projects.

Kabatini MCA Peter Ng’ang’a said the implementation of projects in the wards is not a favour from the governor.  

Mariashoni MCA Douglas Ayabei said MCAs   may soon be chased from the wards for failing to push for the implementation of projects.

Molo MCA Michael Karanja said the executives have disappointed Governor Kinyanjui.

Maiella MCA Kamanu Gathariki said the roads were only upgraded when President Uhuru Kenyatta or his deputy William Ruto were visiting the region.

Subukia Ward Rep Mary Waiganjo accused the executive of delaying the completion of projects in the wards

MCA Joel Karuri Maina said so far only 5.4 per cent of Sh10.5 billion from the National Treasury has been utilised in development projects.