The Kisii County woman representative has welcomed the decision by a Nairobi high court to lift restrictions that barred them from using Sh2 billion that had been allocated to all 47 of them by national assembly for affirmative projects.
Justice Joseph Onguto on Thursday directed that the women rep be allowed to use Sh2 billion that had been channeled to their accounts for 2015/16 budget pending the hearing a determination of a petition that challenged the funds saying the public was not involved in 90 days’ time.
In an exclusive phone interview with the reporter on Friday, Mrs Mary Otara said the funds will enable then champion projects among the marginalised and minorities in their counties and urged the petitioners to withdraw the petition.
“I don’t see the reason why someone should petition a well-intended kitty. We have been working without any finances and I think the ruling is a relief to us because we have a lot of projects to undertake. The ruling is timely and I know as women reps, we will be able to execute a number of projects,” she said.
Mrs Otara said the funds will also be fundamental in helping people living with disabilities, gender based violence victims and the youths.
“Just the mere fact that we represent women in the house does not mean we execute projects favouring women only. The funds will be crucial in helping people from either gender living with disabilities, victims of gender based violence and youths,” Otara added.