Meru, Kenya: County women representatives want their own kitty to take care of development and pre-election promises.

Florence Kajuju (Meru), Mary Seneta (Kajiado), Priscilla Nyokabi (Nyeri) and Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay) said said the government has not given them any money to meet their development agenda like other elected leaders in Kenya.

They regretted that they are forced to rely on money from donations in order to meet some of the pledges they made to the electorate.

Speaking during a fundraiser for the completion of a resource centre at Michogomone Primary School in Buuri constituency, Meru County, Kajuju said the Government has pledged to give the women MPs Sh2.1 billion, which would be divided among the 47 counties.

The 47 parliamentary seats were created for a women representative from each county as an affirmative action move.

“We are disadvantaged because the Government has not given us any funding. We made a lot of promises to the electorate that must be fulfilled. We honestly need your prayers on this,” said Kajuju.

Abolish seat

She said constituents have many problems, which must be resolved and called on the Government to give them funds in order to enhance their work.

Kajuju regretted that people were calling for abolition of the seat claiming they don’t do anything.

Seneta said women representatives should be given funding to enable them to initiate development projects like other elected leaders.

The four leaders also talked against the planned impeachment of Devolution Cabinet Secretary Ann Waiguru.

“Men should give women space to work instead of fighting for their downfall,” said Seneta.

 Nyokabi said women would fight to the bitter end against the intended impeachment, which they claimed was driven by ulterior motives.

Meanwhile, a kitty meant to help bright and needy pupils and students in Thika town constituency has been established.

Thika Education Trust Fund, which is a brain child of the area MP Alice Ng’ang’a is aimed at helping needy students from poor families access education up to the university level.

The kitty will be funded by players in the private sector from the constituency.

Deserving cases

Ms Ng’ang’a said the introduction of Free Primary Education and subsidised day secondary schools has led to increased number of students, many of who lack money to proceed to high school and colleges.

A special committee comprising religious leaders, professionals and opinion leaders are expected to manage the fund and vet the beneficiaries to ensure only deserving cases benefit.

The MP said poverty has denied some of the best minds in the area education, since their parents cannot afford to support them.

“The fund will ensure no needy student will be denied a chance to get education. We will ensure all bright children are given scholarships so that they can achieve their dreams,” Ms Ng’ang’a said.

The fund is earmarked to have a capital base of Sh50 million. Ms Ng’ang’a said more than Sh15 million had already been raised, and was planning for a major fundraising in August this year.

Mr Vimal Shah, the Bidco CEO said the fund is for a noble cause and vowed to support the initiative.