A Nyamira MCA has defended the move by the County Assembly to allocate 220 million for ICT which has elicited heated debate among residents.
According to many residents, the Assembly should have put move focus of education and agriculture which are key sectors in the county government.
But on Wednesday, Gesima MCA, Ken Atuti said the move was necessary since the county government was not in charge of the education function and that there was need to improve the ICT infrastructure in all departments and institutions across the country due to change from analog to digital.
“What we should understand is that education is not a devolved function and that is why the assembly didn’t put a lot of focus in it. However, it was important that we put more money in the ICT by improving the infrastructure in all departments including in our institutions,” he said.
Mr. Atuti said part of the ICT money will be used to purchase computers besides purchasing printing machines for institutions and improving connectivity for easy communication in institutions.
“In fact, the biggest beneficiary will be our schools. We will order the county to purchase computer, printers and setting internet services for our children. The national government will do the rest,” he said.
He said the agricultural sector had been allocated enough money (190million) since the assembly allocated the money after consulting intensively with experts.
“We consulted a lot on the allocations and I believe the agricultural sector got a fair share. The money will be enough to at least irrigate some lands besides helping farmers to maximize on their farm produce,” he said.
Education received 140 million shillings and was among the least funded departments.