Embu MCAs allocated Sh40m each for growth projects

MCAs have been allocated Sh40 million each to spend on projects before the 2017 General Election.

They will get the money through the Ward Development Fund (WDF).

This came after the County Assembly Budget and Appropriation Committee re-appropriated Sh400 million that was unspent in the past financial year and added Sh415 million. This means a total of 815 million will be spent on development in all 20 wards.

Budget Committee Vice Chairman Michael Njeru said MCAs were unable to spend the money in the past financial year due to queries on the Ward Development Fund Act of 2015, raised by the Controller of Budget.

He said amendments to address the concerns and ensure the kitty was operational had since been instituted.

"I would urge this House to fast-track the queries on the WDF Bill so that we can spend this money. Embu wards are in dire need of sustained and accelerated development initiatives," he said.

The Kithimu lawmaker added the ward fund would help improve residents' lives. Runyenjes Central MCA Steve Simba said the WDF was the only kitty that could "quench Embu people's development thirst".

The MCA thanked Finance and Economic Planning Executive John Njagi for pushing for implementation of WDF amid legal hurdles that frustrated its success in the past financial year.

power plays

And it was a relief for their counterparts in Nyeri after the county government published a list of projects which will be implemented in all wards in this financial year.

The Nyeri MCAs have for the past three months been embroiled in power plays with Governor Nderitu Gachagua over management of public funds. MCAs accused the executive of failing to implement the ward development fund which they previously passed in the House.

But on Tuesday, the assembly, through Clerk Jenard Mwiggeh, published a seven-page advertisement which lists projects that will be implemented.

The advertisement laid out projects to be undertaken in each of the wards and also allocated specific funds to be spent on them.

The multi-million-shilling projects include survey of 58 colonial villages which are spread within the 30 wards, construction and renovation of health centres and dispensaries and renovation of markets. Each of the ward has been allocated Sh1 million for survey works of colonial villages.

Yesterday, the Ministry of Land through Public Relations Officer Joseph Mwangi said settlement of the colonial squatters was a partnership involving both the national and county governments.

"The key driver of resettlement of colonial squatters is the national government, but we are partnering with the county government especially in survey work," he said.

Already, Sh30 million has been set aside for survey work in about 200 villages in the county.

The seven-page advert also showed cash would be allocated for street lighting even in far-flung villages and refurbishment and renovation works in various nursery schools and polytechnics, among other projects. Various access roads are also marked for construction. Some water projects have also been listed for expansion.