A group of MCAs from Nyamira County have defended their recent move to increase county development funds in the 2015/16 budget that was tabled by county executive in charge of finance last week.
The allocation saw the amount increased from Sh40 million to Sh120 million, translating to over 120 per cent increase compared to the last two financial years.
But on Tuesday, a group of MCAs led by Ken Atuti of Gesima and Beuttah Omanga of Bogichora defended the move and said the funds will enable MCAs to execute their developmental plans without getting over criticised by locals.
“Ward development fund is very essential in terms of supporting services at the local level. As MCAs, we are at grassroots and locals tend to hull insults on us more than even the Governor or MPs, demanding us to even do some duties which belongs to other elected people,” Atuti said.
Omanga praised MCAs for supporting the allocation and urged his colleagues to invest the money in education, infrastructure and healthcare since the sectors had pressing issues at the local areas.
“This money will be used to improve Livelihoods for our people on sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare and education. People have been having challenges particularly on those sectors and that is why I challenge my colleagues to ensure they have concentrated on the sectors. We are intelligent people and hence know how to use resources,” he said.
The increment will see each ward receive at least Sh5 million which will be managed by ward development boards which have already been put in place.