We deserve equalization fund, Embu leaders tell CRA

While speaking in Mwea ward during the thanksgiving ceremony for Mwea ward MCA at AIC Kwa Munyambu, the leaders said the equalization fund was made for the arid and semi arid areas adding the expansive Mbeere region qualify for the equalization fund.

Led by governor Cecily Mbarire the leaders said they won't take it easy to have the county fail to benefit from the fund saying the move was subjecting the county residents from the semi arid area in Embu county to more suffering.

Mbarire expressed her disappointment following the sidelining by the Commission on Revenue Allocation to lock out Embu County from benefiting from the equalization fund terming it an unfortunate act that was denying residents of Embu County development.

She said that they were persuing the issue with relevant authorities in order to have the county included in the equalization fund.

The governor lauded Embu Senator Alexander Mundigi for voting no during the voting for the equalization fund bill since Embu county was not a beneficiary.

"Mbeere North and Mbeere South deserve equalization fund and I have written to the Commission on Revenue Allocation," she said.

Embu Senator Alexander Mundigi said Embu County is among the marginalized counties and thus there was need to have the county included in equalization fund.

He urged Embu residents to give the exact position on the current status of challenges they are facing when senate will tour Embu county to take their views on equalization fund.

Mbeere South MP Nebert Muriuki said his area is one of the areas affected by lack of water and poor roads and it's regrettable that the area was not considered. He noted that if the funds were sent to the area it will address perennial challenges that have affected locals for decades.

Mwea Ward Representative Job Itumo urged the government to include Embu County in the  equalization fund for it to address the perennial water scarcity in Mbeere region.

Makima Ward Member of County Assembly Philip Nzangi said three quarters of Embu county was arid area. He further  said Mbeere region has perennial problems that have adversely affected the residents making them marginalized.

Nzangi observed that the area lacks water and tarmac roads saying the government should be fair to the people of Embu County.