MCAs go for X-mas break disillusioned as Ngilu keeps them in the dark over Sh12.5 Billion budget spending

Kitui MCAs on Thursday December 2 began their last two-month X-max recess ahead of the lapse of their term a disgruntled and disillusioned lot.

MCAs dread facing the electorates whom they are expected to interact with widely during the recess period as they are oblivious how the nearly Sh.12.5 Billion 2021/2022 budget they approved is benefiting the voters.

During their last sitting last Wednesday, the MCAs owned up to being kept in the dark by Governor Charity Ngilu-led government on the implementation of budgeted public projects six months after they passed the budget.

The prevailing circumstances thus prompted the County Assembly members to give the office of the County Secretary, Agnes Mulewa, 14 days to provide a comprehensive report on how the Sh. 12.5 Billion budget had been implemented so far.

The MCAs gave the ultimatum on Wednesday as they unanimously passed a motion of County importance moved by the ward representative for Migwani, Philip Nguli, on the implementation status of the 2021/22 budget in the first and second quarter of the current fiscal year. 

Nguli during the Wednesday sitting presided by temporary Speaker, Mary Ndumbu, said it was six months since the budget was passed yet MCAs were not aware of the current implementation status of the budget. 

Comprehensive report

His proposal for a resolution ordering Mulewa’s office to, on behalf of other county departments, provide a comprehensive report on eight issues touching on 2021/22 budget in the next 14 day was resoundingly supported. There was no single MCA dissenting.

In accordance with Nguli’s motion, the Assembly thus demanded to know the fate of the implementation of Community Level Infrastructure Development Programme Projects that were allocated Sh. 850 Million. 

The MCAs further sought to be appraised on the implementation status of the Universal Health Care Programme under the NHIF medical cover with a budget of Sh. 255 million. Some said six months after the budget approval, no single Kitui resident had been covered.

They further sought that Mulewa gives the status of the pending bills said to be in the region of Sh.2 Billion and payments thereof as per the Controller of the Budget Advisory. Nguli said money approved by COB to pay contractors was used to pay salaries.

The August House also sought to know the status of recruitment of County workers, the status of the grading or roads as well as the approved construction of a single ECDE classroom in each of the 40 wards in Kitui.

The MCAs also demanded to be told the status of the County own source revenue so far against the Sh. 400 million projected target.

As he moved the motion, Nguli said MCAs were at a loss that even as the Assembly adjourned on the same day for the Christmas recess, they had nothing to tell their voters in terms of the implementation of the approved 2021/22 projects. 

He said when the report from the CS was delivered by the CS office to the Assembly, then, the House should be reconvened to acquaint itself with and comprehensively interrogate the report.

While seconding the motion, the MCA for Mumoni Johnson Kanandu said although the Assembly passed a budget that would ensure equitable distribution of resources among the 40 words in Kitui, nothing appeared to have happened six months down the line.

STORY By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT, EDITED By MUSYOKA NGUI