Failure to debate budget angers Kisumu residents

Residents of Kisumu who turned up for the County Government Budget Consultative Forum scheduled to be held at Aga Khan Hall Wednesday, read a newspaper advertising the meeting. Officials from the county failed to show up and the meeting did not take off. [PHOTO: Titus Munala/STANDARD]

BY KEVINE OMOLLO

KISUMU COUNTY: A public forum meant to deliberate on the 2014/2015 Kisumu County’s budget failed to kick off after county officials failed to turn up.

The failure angered members of the public who vowed to stop the county assembly from debating the budget until they are allowed to give up their input.

They later drafted a petition to be presented to the assembly challenging the assembly to reject any move to introduce the Bill before the floor of the house.

In a media advertisement signed by County Secretary Humphrey Nakitari, the forum was to be held Wednesday in different locations in all the seven constituencies in the county.

Lead by leaders of various civil society organisations from the region, the residents said the county government had failed to communicate to them any changes in the event forcing them to spend the whole day waiting.

Members of the region’s Chambers of Commerce, Shape Youth Network, Tax Payers Association, Yes Youth Can, Kisumu Youth Bunge and Kisumu Residents Association called upon Governor Jack Ranguma to address an urgent public forum over the incident or face legal action.

Killen Omondi representing National Tax Payers Association said they would organise a major protest against the county assembly if they approved the budget without public participation.

“The 2013/2014 budget escaped our attention and the county government convinced us that the defunct councils had worked on the budget before they came in. Now what is the reason for this budget being sneaked?” posed Audy Ogada, representing Kisumu Residents Association.

Mr Nakitari however, defended the county government saying logistical issues contributed to the abortion of the meeting.

The forum will be held Thursday.