County, MCAs trade accusations over use of development funds

The Nyeri County government and ward representatives on Wednesday accused each other for poor use of funds meant for development, with each blaming the other.

While the Members of County Assembly (MCAs) denied playing part in the county’s poor performance in development, the county government maintained that the Assembly did not pass the statutory Annual Development Plan (ADP) on time.

Acting County Secretary Alice Wachira said the delay meant that the county could not access the development funds in time.

“The county Assembly passed the revised annual development plan on September 29 which meant that the first quarter had been lost,” she explained.

The ADP, which outlines the projects that a county will implement in the particular financial year, is usually approved by the County Assembly.

However, the MCAs denied they are to blame for the poor absorption of development money in the last financial year.

They said they had not delayed to pass the budget and thus did not affect the implementation of county development projects.

A report released by the Controller of Budget ranked Nyeri County last among the 47 counties on money spent to implement projects.

The county spent Sh2.56 billion on salaries and administration while Sh218 million was used on development representing an 11 per cent absorption of the development funds.

In a statement, the County Assembly clarified that the budget had been passed on June 30 last year and the appropriation Bill passed on July 9.

Majority Leader Duncan Gituanja said the ongoing turf wars with Governor Nderitu Gachagua were on the basis of poor performance.

The county is however opportunistic that the status of the county in the absorption of the development money changed in the last quarter.

According to Ms Wachira the county performed better in the last quarter noting that it would not be among the poor performers.