Tharaka Nithi MCAs have demanded a review of 2019/2020 ‘skewed’ budget threatening to decline it in totality once tabled in the House for debate.
The ward representatives from Maara and Tharaka constituencies accused Governor Muthomi Njuki of allocating his backyard, Chuka Igambang’ombe constituency huge share.
In the draft copy seen by The Press Point, Chuka Igambang’ombe constituency has been allocated Sh488 million, Maara Sh133 million and Tharaka Sh185 million.
The allocation for Chuka Igambang’ombe is 60.5 percent and that for Maara and Tharaka stands at 10.9 and 16.5 percent respectively.
In the 2018/2019 budget, Chuka Igambang’ombe received Sh600 million while Maara and Tharaka got Sh277 million and Sh216 million respectively causing differences between the Governor and his deputy Francis Kagwima who accused his boss of favouring Magumoni ward by allocating it Sh212 million.
Maara MCAs Jones Kinegeni (Mwimbi), Peterson Mwirigi (Ganga), Wilson Nyaga Muisraeli (Muthambi), Margaret Gitari (Chogoria), Karen Gitonga (Nominated) and Charles Nyaga Kuura of Mitheru ward said the draft budget was too discriminative as one region had been allocated more than that for the other two regions combined.
Kinegeni said two wards in Chuka Igambang’ombe constituency (Igambang’ombe and Karingani) had received more than five Maara wards combined. The two have been allocated Sh173 million and Sh193 million respectively.
“We are not happy with the allocations and it’s the high time governor and his cabinet drafts it afresh so that its balanced else we will dismiss it,” Kinegeni said at Kairuni in Chogoria while receiving a fire engine last week.
Kuura faulted Mr Njuki for what he termed as concentrating development in some regions and not minding the rest.
“The focus should not just be on developing Chuka hospital while forgetting dispensaries and health centres that are in deplorable state,” Kuura said.
Muisraeli said Maara had been receiving the least allocation and demanded changes before its presented in the House for debate.
Tharaka MCAs Susan Ngugi (Marimanti) and Mutegi Ruujia of Gatunga ward vowed to ensure that the budget is not adopted until its harmonized.
Ngugi said the little money given to Tharaka wards had been allocated for projects that are of least benefit to the people.
“I am calling upon the public to come out in large numbers during the public participation exercise and reject the least beneficial projects as they propose those that should be given priority,” the vocal MCA said.
On his part, the Governor said the allocation was fair and that nothing will be changed.
On why the two Chuka wards received highest allocation, Njuki said they housed the county’s referral hospital and the headquarters.
“We must first complete one project before proceeding to another. That is my way of working and I will not be dictated by anybody,” Njuki said.
The Governor accused the MCAs of what he termed as being selfish claiming that they should have at least appreciated ongoing and complete projects in their respective wards.
“I promise to deliver my promises and people should allow me do the work not saying how things should be done,” he insisted.
