Governors Nyagarama, Rasanga on the spot over skewed resource allocation

Ward representatives in two counties have alleged skewed allocation of resources by governors and their executive committee members.

Nyamira Governor John Nyagarama’s administration was accused of favouring some wards while his Siaya colleague, Cornel Rasanga, was said to have frozen projects in two wards.

Nyamira MCAs accused county executive committee members of launching projects in ‘politically correct’ wards at the expense of the rest of the county.

They took issue with the allocation of solar-powered street lights, which they claimed were distributed on the basis of clannism and political allegiance.

Speaking in the assembly, Nominated MCA Fredrick Mosiori said most of the ongoing or completed projects were situated in the home areas of Mr Nyagarama, his deputy and the executive members.

“We can clearly differentiate between the areas where leaders have political interests and the areas where leaders cannot reach the executive to get something going. The areas which are not developed can be seen,” Mr Mosiori said.

Magombo MCA Richard Onyinkwa said the manner in which resources were distributed in various wards showed that nepotism had taken root in the county government.

He said Bogichora, Bonyamatuta, Township and Bosamaro wards were the most favoured in terms of development.

Gesima MCA Charles Maroko said the executive needed to explain why some areas were being ignored yet they were equally entitled to development.

Equal distribution

“We are wondering if we are marginalised yet we are in one county. If resources cannot be distributed equally, we have to fire the CECs because we are the ones who allowed them to serve the people,” said Mr Maroko.

The ward representatives said that in future, they would closely monitor the CECs’ performance.

In Siaya, MCAs criticised Mr Rasanga after he ordered his Trade and Enterprise and Finance executives to shut down projects in West Asembo and Central Alego wards.

The governor, who toured Boro and Uranga markets last week, accused MCAs Leonard Oriaro and Ambrose Akuno of inciting traders to stop paying taxes.

Traders in Central Alego and West Asembo threatened not to pay market fees because of uncollected garbage, poor drainage, and lack of toilets and security lights.

 

But on Friday, Rasanga met market officials and traders at Ruma Women Hall in West Asembo, Rarieda, and warned of dire consequences over failure to remit taxes.

He accused MCAs of opposing his plans to have toilets built in each market by removing them from the budget. The governor told the traders they risked arrest or having the markets shut down.

But on Tuesday, MCAs termed Rasanga’s decision as insensitive and unfair to voters.

Speaking in the assembly, MCAs Sylvester Madialo (Usonga), Francis Otiato (West Yimbo) Samuel Olasi (West Uyoma) and Erick Odawa of Sigomere ward warned that the governor risked dividing county residents.

Mr Odawa tabled a motion in which the ward reps accused Rasanga of promoting bias.

“Service delivery to the people is a right and not a privilege. The executive must ensure services are rendered to all residents of Siaya without imposing unnecessary conditions,” said Odawa.

He accused the executive of “resorting to blackmail after doing little with the funds they had received despite taxing workers heavily”.

Mr Madialo argued that the traders had a right not to pay taxes if the county government failed to clean up the markets.

Mr Olasi said taxes collected and levies imposed on traders should be commensurate with the services rendered by the executive.

“You cannot force our people to pay taxes yet you don’t offer services that can improve their lives. People must get value for money,” said Olasi.

Mr Otiato said he wondered why the executive had dragged its feet on implementing ward projects despite having prioritised them.

“Construction of toilets at Nyamonye market has clearly stalled yet it is one year down the line. Unfortunately, traders have not seen this being actualised yet the governor still wants to reprimand them for not paying their taxes. This is very funny.”

Speaker George Okode directed the assembly’s Finance Committee to investigate the matter.