Members of the Meru county assembly have expressed mixed reactions over allocation of Sh30million to operationalize the office of Deputy Governor Mutuma M’Ethingia.
In reaction to a Sub Vote that hived the money from Sh160million allocated to Governor Kawira Mwangaza’s office, some MCAs allied to the governor caused commotion in the assembly chambers during the Whole House committee sitting.
Governor Mwangaza and her deputy have not been seeing eye to eye after she sidelined him, relocated the latter’s office and even sacked some of his employees.
“We have five petitions from the deputy governor and his complaints must be respected and dealt with accordingly. He receives a salary to serve people of Meru but his office doesn’t have a budget. We have a responsibility to oversight the executive and make the office of the Deputy Governor functional,” Jim Muchui, the Athwana MCA said.
The MCAs were debating on some clauses in the Meru County Appropriation Bill 2024 introduced in the budget and Appropriation amendments.
Former Majority leader and Mitunguu MCA Evans Mawira who is a staunch supporter of Governor Mwangaza raised alarm claiming that MCAs have no powers to create deputy governor’s office funds.
Abogeta West MCA Dennis Kiogora quoted several sections of the constitution including that which establishes County executive committee led by the Governor, Deputy Governor and CECs, saying all are distinct offices, provided with a budget.
“We are not creating an office but it was created by the Constitution. Article 187 of the constitution highlights that the assembly may make any laws necessary for effective performance of County Government functions without limitations to effective funding of the deputy governor’s office,” Kiogora said.
Kiogora added that MCAs only did away with domestic and foreign travel, tea and Mandazi money but did not re-arrange the office of the Governor’s budget.
Muthara MCA Murangiri Aulerio said the assembly needs to work properly and develop strategy and policies that effect service delivery.
“We are not limited in legislating on any matter concerning operations of the county government and the deputy governor office is part of the governor’s office with Sh160million and this is only a sub vote. We have given block amounts to other departments in the spirit of itemized budget,” he said.
