MCAs letting down voters by blocking budgets

Several county assemblies across the country have been accused of holding back development projects by not endorsing county budgets on time. Indeed, some Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) have ganged up against the Executive wing of county governments to frustrate the disbursement of development funds.

For instance in Nakuru County, the MCAs have taken a two-week recess before approving the 2016/17 budget. The members have already missed the June 30 deadline for passage of the Appropriation Bill and the county’s Sh12.8 billion budget now hangs in the balance. This is a slap on the face of Kenyans at the grassroots.

By refusing to pass county budgets, the MCAs are holding back funds required for development projects, and those who pay the price are the voters who elected them into office.

It is not lost on Kenyans that many of these ward representatives refuse to pass the Appropriation Bill when they want to arm-twist governors to improve their emoluments. And when motions that seek to increase these emoluments are tabled, the MCAs are very quick to endorse these motions.

MCAs, as the people’s representatives in counties, are required to ensure that projects local people want to be commissioned get first priority, be they better healthcare services, roads or schools.

MCAs should not let down their representatives in this regard.