This archive report was first published on 30 June 2020.
On June 30, 2020, Kirinyaga MCAs passed a Sh5.5 billion budget for the 2020/2021 financial year, making significant cuts to various county departments.
One of the notable reductions was the slashing of the executive's legal fees budget from Sh60 million to Sh1 million. The MCAs argued that the allocated funds were too high and could be better utilized elsewhere.
According to the MCAs, the reduced budget will allow for the diversion of funds to the Education department for bursaries targeting needy school children.
However, the office of Deputy Governor Peter Ndambiri, which had been allocated zero funds, received a boost with the allocation of Sh15.6 million. The move is seen as a significant gesture, given the strained relationship between Ndambiri and Governor Anne Waiguru.
"We had to act when we discovered that the office of the deputy governor had not been allocated any funds by the devolved government. This is an important office and it can't operate without finances," said Mr. Mathenge, the assembly's Budget Committee Chairman.
Additionally, the MCAs dealt a heavy blow to the office of the county secretary, reducing its Sh111 million allocation to Sh1 million. The MCAs accused the office of being uncooperative and failing to provide necessary documents for oversight.
"We have been asking the county secretary to furnish us with documents to be able to carry out our oversight role properly but he has been adamant and therefore we had to give his office minimum funds," said Mr. Mathenge.
