Nairobi County Assembly has been put in the spotlight for approving and disbursing over Ksh12.3 million for payment of rent. The money was splashed on rental payments for MCAs office rent in private commercial spaces across the capital.
A report by Kenya’s Auditor-General, Nancy Gathungu, reported that the county assembly spent Ksh570 million on a wide array of goods and services for operations. Within this expenditure, Ksh14.7 million was used on leasing agreements.
However, there were no documents illustrating agreements between the assembly and landlords of private properties that MCAs operated from. The payments were essentially not formally approved by the county assembly.
Nancy’s report flagged the Ksh12.3 million expenditure as an ‘improper charge to taxpayers’ funds’ as 53 MCAs out of 85 conducted business from private office spaces. This stood out in the report as elected government officials would normally be stationed in parliamentary premises.
In 2019, the county was to devote Ksh400 million to build new offices for its ward representatives as a means of easing pressure for space from other county government workers. It would have spent an additional Ksh100 million on the acquisition of furniture and computers for the new offices.
In March 2021, the budget committee pointed out that Nairobi county had to part with plans of constructing offices for MCAs. This would have been in exchange for free cars as opposed to purchasing them with low-interest loans.
This was apparently a sweetener emanating from top proponents of the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI).
Nonetheless, the county assembly has reportedly been in discussions and propositions to construct new offices from MCAs as well as rehabilitate former stations which currently lie in a dilapidated state.
In the current financial year ending June 30, 2022, Nairobi County Assembly is set to spend Ksh1.4 billion to renovate existing but ran down offices for MCAs as well as putting up new ones. This budget will also cover auxiliary equipment.
Ksh1.18 billion will be used to purchase an administrative block for nominated members of the county assembly as well as the assembly’s leaders. Moreover, Ksh 191 billion will be allocated to fund the renovation of the dilapidated offices and an additional 30 ward offices. This move is intended to devolve officers across their jurisdictions where they will be more accessible to their constituents.
Complementary needs such as Information and Communication Technology (ICT) equipment has been accorded the remaining Ksh300 million. Additionally, the acquisition of furniture will also tap monies from this allotment.
