Transition Authority issues advisory on funds

Kenya; The Government will not approve this year's financial budgets of counties that have factored in the establishment of ward development funds (WDFs).

Transition Authority (TA) Chairman Kinuthia Wamwangi has noted the Nakuru county budget for the year 2014/15 has already been rejected by the Controller of Budget Agnes Odhiambo.

"More counties that have factored WDFs in their budget for this financial year will have to rework them afresh. Budgets can be rejected on other grounds, but governors should know this will be one of them," added Mr Wamwangi.

The TA has also officially issued an advisory to all governors and speakers of the county assembly, directing them that establishment of WDF was illegal.

"Each of the 47 governors and each of the 47 speakers of the county assemblies have received the advisory. Any county that has factored WDFs in its budget for 2014/15 will have its budget returned until such a vote is deleted," said Wamwangi.

He said  in order  to avoid  duplication  of development  activities  and misuse  of public funds,  counties  are advised  to ensure  any public fund  that is established  for development purpose is aligned  to the county  development  goals and policies formulated.

Wamwangi's advisory letter is copied to the Chairman of the Council of Governors Isaac Ruto, Chairman of the County Speakers' Forum Nuh Nassir Abdi,  Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich, Controller of Budget Agnes Odhiambo and the chairman of the Constitutional  Implementation Commission (CIC) Charles Nyachae.

But there has been growing opposition to TA by  members of the county assembly (MCAs) in parts of the country, with Meru County Assembly Speaker Kaberia Arimba a few days back saying TA has outlived its usefulness and should be disbanded.

In pushing for the establishment of the ward funds, MCAs want to match MPs who have the Constituency Development Fund under their control.