Blow to Meru MCAs as Controller of Budget term ward fund illegal
Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza, Meru Assembly Speaker Ayub Bundi and the Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakango during a consultative meeting to resolve conflicts over ward fund feuds. Photo/Rugendo Antony
By Rugendo Antony
Worth Noting:
- Despite demands by MCAs, the controller of Budget advised Meru County and all county officials to adhere to the advisory given by her office dated January 19th 2018.
- In the advisory, COB wanted the ward fund to be initiated through a proposal by the County Executive Committee Member responsible for the county government entity under which the functions of the Fund for CEC should provide a clear justification as to why a Fund structure is deemed appropriate for improved service delivery in light of the legislative and policy mandate of the county government entity.
- Mwangaza had pledged to allocate Sh100 million for each of the 45 wards in the county if the Controller of Budget gave him a nod on the matter.
The Controller of Budget has dealt a blow on Meru MCAs after terming the ward fund they have been demanding illegal.
The Controller of Budget had invited the embattled Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza and the County Assembly Leaders for a consultative meeting over the introduction of the Ward Development Fund.
This followed after a move by the Governor to seek an advisory opinion from the Controller of Budget on steps to be taken in the formation of the ward fund.
The Meru Governor and Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) have been embroiled in a tussle as the ward representatives demanded for the fund to implement development projects.
Since her election, Mwangaza has been in the limelight as MCAs threaten to impeach her over abuse of office.
The Controller of budget Margaret Nyakango cautioned against the creation of the fund against the tenets of the law and the constitution.
Despite demands by MCAs, the controller of Budget advised Meru County and all county officials to adhere to the advisory given by her office dated January 19th 2018.
In the advisory, COB wanted the ward fund to be initiated through a proposal by the County Executive Committee Member responsible for the county government entity under which the functions of the Fund for CEC should provide a clear justification as to why a Fund structure is deemed appropriate for improved service delivery in light of the legislative and policy mandate of the county government entity.
Mwangaza had pledged to allocate Sh100 million for each of the 45 wards in the county if the Controller of Budget gave him a nod on the matter.
The Controller of Budget maintained that the ward development fund is unprocedural as the funds to support the kitty would be dependent on annual financing from the county exchequer, which is not envisaged in Regulation 197(1)(e) of the Public Management Act,2012.
The COB also called on Meru Executive and County Assembly to work together but with each arm sticking to it’s mandate and functions.
Ms Nyakango called on the Meru Governor to come up with regional balanced projects(Per Ward) through public participations.
Speaking after the COB report, Ms Kawira said that she hoped the meeting and report of the Controller of Budget would resolve the conflicts in Meru County.
“It’s my hope that this will end the differences that have been there so that we can work for the people of Meru with much vigor,” She said
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