Murang’a MCAs deny receiving Sh10m from county gov’t

Murang’a County Assembly members have denied receiving Sh10 million each from Murang’a County Governor Mwangi wa Iria for development projects in their various wards.

Led by the assembly’s majority leader, Peter Kihungi, the ward representatives said the allocation of Sh350 million per ward was not communicated to them officially, adding that they learnt about it through the media.

They noted that such an arrangement would necessitate the formation of a ward management committee in each ward, and that has not been done.

Mr Kihungi added that such a fund would also necessitate the participation of the public and Murang’a residents.

“The budget passed by the assembly for the financial year 2016/2017 does not have a ward development fund,” he said.

“The assembly approved a road programme worth Sh1 billion, which was launched by the governor and is being implemented by the county government,” he added.

The MCAs further noted that members of the assembly do not execute or implement projects, saying their job is only to approve county programs and the county budget for the governor and the county government to implement.

Kihungi, who is the Kanyenya-ini ward rep, told Citizen Digital that a proposal by the members to have such a fund last year to assist in the implementation of small projects at the ward level did not materialise.

This is after the governor turned down the members’ demand of 13 percent of the total county budget, translating to Sh22 million per ward for the 35 wards in the county, before his impeachment.

This led to a standoff between the Murang’a County Assembly and the executive after the assembly demanded the allocation of the Sh770 million ward development fund.

The MCAs stated that they issued the statement to clarify to members of the public that they have not received any money, adding that residents should be patient and wait for the plan to materialise.

Speaking last week, Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria said the 10M allocated to each of the 35 wards was to implement minor development projects at the ward level.

Mwangi said the county government would continue to undertake the major projects, adding that this will ensure there is development in all parts of the county.