Assembly approves budget

Nyeri ward reps have approved an annual development plan (ADP) budget after governor Nderitu Gachagua gave in to their demands.

The Sh11 billion estimate plan will now include Sh1.9 billion, which will go to the ward reps who had vowed not to pass the estimates until the executive allowed them identify development projects to be funded by the money in their areas.

This year's development plan is slightly higher than that of the 2018-19 season that reached Sh7 billion

“Our views are important on the ward development bit in the budget which has been allocated over Sh1 billion,” chairperson of Budget and Appropriations Committee Gibson Wahinya said.

He was supported by Deputy Speaker Samuel Kariuki who said that, from the onset, the plan should have originated from "members not the executive, which has limited knowledge on the projects needed in our wards."

Mukurwe-Ini West MCA Antonacio Kabaire, who chairs the Finance committee, said the proposals would only be a reality when the county meets its revenue targets.

Kabaire observed that the completion of the projects was to some point "unrealistic" considering the county budget was at a low of Sh7 billion.

The assembly said the executive had been invited for a two-day session where the MCAs through select committees shared to them on the importance of allowing MCAs select projects to be developed.

The public raised concern on the funding for youth polytechnics, health services, gender and social services during a participation forum.

Nominated MCA Julia Wanjiku responded that polytechnics had been captured in the MCAs choice of projects under the new proposals. 

Speaker John Kaguchia summed up the debate by noting it was a great achievement for the assembly members to have taken up a proactive approach to the ADP.