Court allows county women representatives to access funds

Women representatives will now have control of the Sh2 billion fund allocated for affirmative action after the High court ruled that they be allowed to spend only that share.

High Court judge Joseph Onguto ruled that the women representatives should only use the money that is in their accounts but no more funds will be released pending the hearing and determination of the main petition in 90 days.

"The Treasury should not release more money to the women representatives for affirmative action," said Justice Onguto.

Nyeri County Woman Representative Priscilla Nyokabi, while addressing the Press outside the court room, said she was happy with the ruling as the money will be used in various projects.

"The money will be used to assist the minorities who have been sidelined in the past," said Ms Nyokabi adding that among them would be children with disability, gender based violence victims and youths.

She added: "The fund is different from CDF because it is a people development fund. Women reps are not the ones to implement it but the county commissioners."

Joyce Lay, the woman representative for Taita Taveta County, said the fund is important in helping the minorities within the society.

Onguto had earlier refused to review his orders that tied off Sh2 billion from the 47 women legislators noting that they will not suffer if the orders are not lifted. The Government, through Attorney General Githu Muigai, wanted the orders lifted arguing that the monies were already allocated for use.

The National Assembly allocated Sh2 billion within the CDF kitty to allow the elected women MPs from counties to have a stake in the grassroots development.

Through lawyer Suyianka Lempaa, the petitioner has argued that there was no public participation in establishment of the fund.