By Betty Luke
Isiolo Senator Fatuma Dullo has rolled out a countywide assessment of all county government projects in efforts to ensure accountability in use of public resources.
The oversight visits have been made possible following the operationalization of the senators oversight fund that seeks to ensure the legislators undertake oversight exercise smoothly.
“I have received Sh1.5 million for this quarter which is not enough to visit the entire county. I will therefore start with the projects within Isiolo Central while I wait for more resources,” Ms Dullo said.
She noted that the government had allocated the county an annual budget of Sh3 million for oversight, which was not enough considering the money was also meant to cater for administration costs, payment of staff among other office expenses.
“Together with Lamu Senator, we have challenged the issue in court because we feel we need more funds to enable us transverse our vast counties,” she said.
The legislator noted that she is required to submit a report on the same in Senate when they resume sessions next week.
“I am not fighting anyone but doing the work I was elected do. I swore to protect the interests of the people and will exactly do that,” she said.
Ms Dullo spoke while meeting members of Bulapesa and Wabera ward Planning Committes to brief them about the undertaking that will run throughout the week.
The ward planning committees were required to among others share their views on implementation of projects in their locations as well as itemize the complete and incomplete projects.
The Senator noted that she would closely work with the local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in outlining the projects they were fully funding, co-funding and those funded by the county government across the county.
“For the CSO that do not wish to support this course, I’ll directly deal with their donors because they must also be accountable. They receive funding on behalf of Isiolo people,”Ms Dullo said noting that some lobbies had revealed to her that the county government was taking credit for projects they had not undertaken creating confusion among the public.
Bulapesa WPC chair Godfrey Gitonga said they will help the Senator in the work as it would ensure swift implementation of projects and prioritization of those proposed by the local communities.
Other groups Ms Dullo met were members of the interfaith and the human right activists.
Ms Dullo’s exercise comes barely a week after Governor Abdi Guyo maintained that she had no mandate to question him over anything.
“Who are you to question me?The only one who can question me are the electorates. Not you,” Governor Guyo said.
But Dullo, maintained that she will fearlessly undertake her work and told off those obsessed with 2027 to wait until time for politics is ripe.
