How County splashed millions on tournament launch, MCAs allowances

Kinoo MCA Kimani Wanjiku addressing his ward residents. [Kamau Maichuhie/Standard]

The county government spent millions of shillings to launch the Kiambu Super Cup as well as to pay allowances to members of the county assembly and referees, it has been revealed.

The details emerged yesterday when Youth and Sports Executive Karungo Thang'wa and his Chief Officer Penina Kamau appeared before the Committee on Youth Sports and Social Services to answer queries on the tournament.

The committee, headed by Kamburu MCA Gathuru Mburu, heard that the department used Sh1.9 million to launch the tournament that took place at the Kiambu County headquarters on April 1.

According to Ms Kamau, the county paid Sh1 million for the mobile stadium and branded scarfs, and Sh300,000 for the public address system and brochures.

Kamau said the county also spent Sh100,000 on bottled water, Sh50,000 on a portable dais, Sh107,000 for the décor and media wall, and Sh40,000 for transport and logistics.

The county also paid Sh262,000 to the national government as VAT, the chief officer revealed.

The beneficiaries included referees, who were paid Sh1.4 million, field coordinators (Sh448,000) and MCAs (Sh108,000) in allowances.

Kamau told the committee the administration still owed Sh612,000 to MCAs who did not receive their allowances.

Magnificent launch

Mr Thang'wa justified the expenditure, saying the event had attracted "a lot" of attention.

“The launch was such a magnificent one. As a result, many potential sponsors willing to partner with the county on the tournament have shown interest. We are working on how to incorporate them on board,” he said.

But the MCAs, including Majority Leader Gideon Gachara, said the event was a waste of public resources.

“That was nothing but misplaced priorities for the department. As the assembly, we are going to stop this kind of wastage since we believe such money can be used for other better things."

Kinoo MCA Kimani Wanjiku wondered why the launch could not have been done in one of the county’s stadiums in Thika, Ruiru, Ndumberi, Githunguri and Gikambura.

“The money could have been used to buy uniforms, balls and playing shoes for the teams. The youth spent the entire day hungry and thirsty during the launch. It is obvious the county is not mindful about the plight of the youth," said Mr Kimani.

The ward rep also questioned why the tournament was projected to cost Sh7.7 million up from Sh5.6 million that was passed by the assembly.

Last week, Speaker Stephen Ndicho ordered Thang'wa to appear before the committee within seven days to answer queries touching on his department.

The committee is today expected to table the report in the assembly.