MPs risk recall over county funds, warn MCAs

By NIKKO TANUI

Members of Parliament have been warned that they risk being recalled by Kenyans should they side with Senate in its quest to slash funding to the counties.

Five members of the Kericho County Assembly led by Jackson Kikwai of Londiani ward told the legislators to “stop being too idle” to a point they can be easily roped in a scheme to frustrate devolution.

“The recent moves of Members of Parliament is leaving Kenyans wondering whether they don’t have anything else to do. If they don’t change course, we are going to roll out a campaign for Kenyans to recall them as provided in the recall clause in the constitution,” said Kikwai.

He asked MPs to show what they have done with the CDF money first before they can leap at the Senate’s scheme to reduce revenue allocation to the counties.

“Members of Parliament are known for misappropriating public funds, let them account for the money that has passed through their hands through CDF before they can side with Senate,” he said.

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The Londiani ward representative pointed out that contrary to the Senators and MPs claims, ordinary Kenyans were witnessing implementation of development projects such as construction of feeder roads, schools provision of medicine at public hospitals, employment of Early Childhood Development (ECD) teachers among other issues courtesy of county governments.

“We would like to commend county governments for the good work they are doing and that is what Senators and Members of Parliament should look at and stop pursuing selfish interests,” said Kikwai.

Speaking during a funeral service in Bureti constituency, Kericho county governor Paul Chepkwony demanded that Members of Parliament account for Sh 70 million they handle annually through CDF.

“Kenyans demand that every leader they have entrusted with public money has to be accountable. Therefore, if governors must be accountable, Members of Parliament should also be made to account for the CDF money too,” he said.

He disclosed that the county had received Sh 1.3 billion out of the Sh3.2 billion revenue allocation from the central government and the money had been channeled to development projects.