MCAs Award Themselves Ksh830M, Governor Forced to Intervene

Taita Taveta Members of County Assembly (MCAs) in the fiscal 2019/2010 proposal, awarded themselves over Ksh830 million for their wards.

In the proposal, each of the 20 elected MCAs would get Ksh41.5 million for ward development, while the 13 nominated ward reps were allocated Ksh500,000 each as “appreciation” for supporting the proposal.

However, Taita Taveta Governor Granton Samboja refused to grant the MCAs wish to be given the money terming the move as illegal.

According to Samboja, it was mandatory for the allocations to be approved by the Senate Public Accounts and Investment Committee.

Samboja, in a memondarum, further asked the House Speaker Meshack Maghanga for a review of the Bill giving priority to pending bills and ward project, Daily Nation reports.

“With the need to provide for a budgetary provision for pending bills and the other county government priority projects, the above recommendation for allocation of Ksh41,650,000 for each ward will not be tenable," affirmed Samboja.

“From the initial allocation to ward projects as per the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP), I recommend Ksh5 million to be taken towards payment of pending bills and Ksh15 million towards priority ward projects as proposed by the county residents during budget public participation forums and as captured in the CID,” stated the governor’s memo.

Wundanyi Member of Parliament Danson Mwashako also declared his support to the governor’s move, terming the proposed allocation against the law.

“As leaders, we cannot close our eyes and cheer MCAs on as they allocate themselves funds meant for development,” stated Mwashako.

Meanwhile, the same county is under investigation for over Ksh224 million spent by MCAs in the previous financial year.

Past reports stated that the amount was allegedly allocated to blackmail the MCAs to pass crucial Bills.

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