MCAs snub 'State of the County' address

Nyeri County Governor Nderitu Gachagua addresses members of county assembly on April 28 2016, where only 15 members attended out of 47 [PHOTO:KIBATA KIHU/STANDARD]

More than half of Nyeri's members of county assembly boycotted the 'State of the County' address by Governor Nderitu Gachagua.

The MCAs were protesting his alleged plan to scrap the Sh180 million Ward Development Fund.

In a rare show of solidarity, 25 members including majority and minority leaders stayed away from the chambers.

Mr Gachagua arrived in the House at 2:30pm but the assembly had to delay its session for more than half an hour due to lack of quorum.

15 nominated MCAs saved the day as they trickled back before they were later joined by five elected members.

"I would like to note that the reason for the delay of this county address is due to the fact that I have been out of the country seeking medical treatment," Mr Gachagua stated.

He lauded achievements in the agriculture sector, which included the capital grant of Sh26 million to Wakulima Dairy Company to allow for the production of yoghurt.

"The Wakulima Dairy Co-operative Company can now process 5,000 litres of yoghurt per day; thanks to the county government funding," he said.

The governor spoke of projects in health and education noting that the county was going to enhance services at the referral hospital and expand youth polytechnics.

After the one-hour address, the governor did not address the absence of the MCAs who were in the parking lot.

Majority Leader Duncan Gituanja accused the governor of failing to implement crucial projects that had been passed by the assembly.

"Nyeri has been identified as one of the counties that has failed to spend its development funds, and the governor cannot expect us to sit and listen to him; we want action," Mr Gituanja said.

He added: "There is a plot to sabotage the Ward Development Fund."