This archive report was first published on 5 June 2020.
As the current 2019/2020 financial year draws to a close, Lamu County is yet to register a single positive Covid-19 case, despite the county government's failure to utilize a Sh157 million supplementary budget approved by the county assembly two months ago.
According to Witu MCA Jonathan Mketa, the county government's inaction is due to vested political interests, which have hindered the disbursement of the funds.
The county assembly had approved the Sh157 million budget and made amendments to the Bill, but Governor Fahim Twaha rejected the amendments and instead opted for a revised budget.
"The county government needs to rise to the occasion and ensure that the funds are put to use to alleviate the crisis that the county is facing," Mketa stated, expressing concern that Witu, being the gateway ward to Lamu, would be the most affected in case of an outbreak.
Similar sentiments were echoed by Hongwe Ward Representative James Komu, who stated that there was a need for the county government to address the current plight of the unused funds.
"We expect the hospitals to be fully kitted with ventilators, ICU beds, and personnel in case of an outbreak, and the onus is upon the county executive to rise to the occasion and ensure the usage of the funds approved," he added.
Nominated MCA Amina Kale also expressed concern over the county executive's lethargic pace to address the Covid-19 crisis, stating that the number of vulnerable families was already on the rise due to loss of jobs in the tourism and fishing sectors.
However, Governor Twaha insisted that a new budget had been reworked for the county assembly's approval, and that his administration had already begun the disbursement of foodstuffs to vulnerable families in Moa and Chalaluma areas, which have been afflicted by heavy floods.
He also intimated that out of the Sh5 billion set aside by the national government to address Covid-19 nationwide, Lamu would only receive Sh13 million, which would require the approval of the county assembly before it could be utilized.
