Kiraitu's flagship projects back on track after deal with MCAs

Governor Kiraitu Murungi

Governor Kiraitu Murungi's flagship projects are back on track after the Executive convinced Members of County Assembly (MCAs) not to redirect their funds.

Some of the projects that would have been affected after the MCAs made significant changes to the County Fiscal Strategy Paper, which will guide the 2018-2019 budget, were the free milk programme for nursery schools and the Meru Youth Service.

Last week, the 68-member assembly reallocated the Sh101.4 million budget for the free milk programme, to construction of Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) classes and vocational training centres.

MCAs Elias Murega and Kimathi Ithibua had argued that though the school milk was a good idea, there is need to upgrade the ECDE classrooms, some which are timber or mud walled.

The MCAs had also reallocated Sh50 million from Meru Youth Service, which Kiraitu and Deputy Governor Titus Ntuchiu say will create job opportunities for the young people.

The MCAs had also voted to reallocate Sh60 million from the Meru Microfinance Corporation, which offers low-interest loans to small businesses in the county.

Worried about the axed programmes, which he anchored his campaigns on, Mr Kiraitu wrote to the MCAs pleading with them to rescind the decision.

“We sat down with the ward reps, reasoned together and reached an amicable consensus. It is a win-win situation,” Ntuchiu said.