Embattled Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza heaved with relief after Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) pledged to concentrate on their constitutional mandate and end hostilities.
The MCAs backtracked after a meeting summoned by the controller of budget Dr Margaret Nyakong'o on Friday, November 4, informed them that the ward fund is illegal.
Dr Nyakong'o advised MCAs to stick to their mandate and desist from influencing what development projects are to be implemented in their wards.
She said the executive can ensure equitable distribution of development through ward community projects.
They were however promised to have equitable distribution of ward development projects which will be identified through the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) or Annual Development Plan (ADP).
Reacting to Dr Nyakang'o’s advisory, Meru County Assembly Speaker Ayub Bundi stated they would now stick to their three constitutional roles of legislation, oversight and representation.
He added that the meeting effectively ended the differences between MCAs and the governor, which had threatened service delivery and nearly plunged the county into a crisis.
"The governor said that she is responsible for identifying projects across the county. We now want to tell the people of Meru [that] if there's a bad road, call the governor, if you need a bursary, make a call to the governor,” Mr Bundi affirmed.
Majority Leader Evans Mawira noted that residents should inform ward administrators, sub-county administrators or members of the executive whenever in need.
"Since the governor said she will be getting information from ward administrators, we will keep off. Let the people deal with them directly," he stated.
The truce with the governor came after weeks of rumbles and disagreements, that saw the county leadership involved in seeking a lasting solution to the standoff.
Kawira asked the governor to table her Supplementary Budget to the Assembly in the shortest time possible to allow immediate implementation of community projects.
