Finance Bill passed with minor changes

By BONIFACE GIKANDI

Murang’a County: Murang’a Finance Bill has been passed with minor amendments as an allocation for county marketing and branding was slashed and the funds moved to youth polytechnics.

The Sh5.6 billion tabled by the budget committee chaired by Peter Maina was passed as the members resisted attempts to slash Sh300 million earmarked to facilitate irrigation programmes.

At the same time, the county assembly distanced itself from the activities of Murang’a Investment Co-operative seeking more information over its existence and operations.

Endorsing of the budget was a major relief to Governor Mwangi wa Iria as it has been revised several times after the assembly rejected it citing anomalies.

The assembly chaired by temporary Speaker Bernard Wanyoike scaled down Sh18 million from the county’s marketing and branding allocation to support youth polytechnics said to be in poor state.