The fiscal planning paper tabled by Nyamira House Committee of Finance and Planning was rescheduled for debate by Deputy Speaker Andrew Magangi to Wednesday morning, after majority of MCAs from either side of the house opposed it.
Committee chair James Sabwengi faced difficult time to explain to members of the proposed budget of 10 percent for the executive, and another 5 percent for the agriculture.
Majority leader Laban Masira and his minority counterpart Jackson Mogusu led the mutiny accusing the committee on ‘misplaced priorities’.
“Mr Speaker Sir, this is a total ridicule to the people of Nyamira. It is not logical to give executive more funds than a fully devolved function like Agriculture. The committee is basically working on misplaced priorities which our people do not deserve,” he said.
Mogusu on his part blamed the committee of late submission of the report to the chambers and questioned the intention of the committee to recommend new projects rather than allocating more resources towards completion of existing projects.
“Speaker, the committee is hoodwinking Honourable members. First, the fiscal policy paper is allocating funds to new projects which need strong existing legal mechanisms for support. They submitted the paper late to the house and we haven’t scrutinized it fully because there could be more errors,” he said.
“We have to divert resources to projects which are stalling giving the next financial year will cover the months of elections. This is a total shame,” he added.
Speaker Magangi adjourned the house and urged members to ‘interact’ with the recommendations of the committee before coming up with amendments on Wednesday session.
Photo: Members of Nyamira County Assembly after session. The opposed a fiscal planning paper for 2016/17 budget over ‘misplaced priorities. AMakori/Hivisasa.com