A Section of Members of Kisii County Assembly has faulted Interior Cabinet Secretary, Dr Fred Matiang’i for ordering they be investigated for allegedly passing this year’s budget illegally
Interior CS Fred Matiang'i
By: Elizabeth Angira
Worth Noting:
- Timothy Ogugu, Magenche Ward, ODM, the Assembly’s Majority leader said the budget was publicized, underwent public participation, tabled in the House, debated and passed; stressing the due process was followed.
- He said county workers had secured loans and it was necessary to pass the budget to ease their suffering, adding they are ready to be arrested and defend themselves in court.
- “We are still in the Assembly till August. We are independent and swore to serve our people without fear of favor” Ogugu , adding the Assembly had a quorum despite other MCAs keeping off.
On 24/6/2022 at Nyaura primary school, Simba Arati claimed the MCAs, guarded by security officers, passed the budget illegally to embezzle public funds and told Matiang’i to intervene.
The Cabinet Secretary ordered a probe into the matter and directed Kisii county Commissioner, Allan Macharia to give him a report, warning those found culpable will be arrested to face the law.
In a statement read by Kiogoro Ward Representative, Samwel Apoko, the leaders stated they passed the 2022/23 budget legally on Thursday last week, beat the deadline and adjourned.
The MCA said they approved construction of Marani and Magena markets at a cost of Ksh. 200 m each, name of the Public Service Board ( PSB) chairperson and a board member and was within the Assembly’s calendar.
“The House conducted its business procedurally. The budget will benefit residents.. stop tainting the name of Governor James Ongwae into it” he said.
He accused Arati for misleading residents that the budget was passed after the Assembly had been adjourned sine die, terming it malicious.
Apoko said the executive, under the next Governor, will oversee the construction of the market, adding it was wrong for the leaders to mislead residents.
Timothy Ogugu, Magenche Ward, ODM, the Assembly’s Majority leader said the budget was publicized, underwent public participation, tabled in the House, debated and passed; stressing the due process was followed.
He said county workers had secured loans and it was necessary to pass the budget to ease their suffering, adding they are ready to be arrested and defend themselves in court.
“We are still in the Assembly till August. We are independent and swore to serve our people without fear of favor” Ogugu , adding the Assembly had a quorum despite other MCAs keeping off.
Minority leader, James Ondari, (Boochi Tendere) Ward, Jubilee alleged that some MCAs were demanding Ksh. 10 million to pass it, saying it was necessary to pass the budget for the markets to be built to ease the suffering of traders in those markets.
“Those who refused to take part were demanding to be paid allowances. I wonder whether they brought their stomachs to the assembly” Ondari asserted.
He said Ogembo Municipality had been allocated Ksh. 100 million to construct the market, stage and roads and appealed to the next governor to implement the projects.
“I want to remind my constituents that the money has been allocated so that they can follow up when the new government is in place” Ondari said.
Dennis Ombachi, Budget and appropriation Committee chairman, said they passed a budget of Ksh. 12 billion, stressing it was passed in time to beat the 30 June deadline.
Carren Magara, nominated MCA said they executed their mandate of passing the budget and there are legal provisions to be followed if they passed it illegally.
She told Matiang’I to stop threatening them with arrests, saying the Assembly is independent and Ongwae has nothing to do with its operations.
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