Residents to have a say on projects

The county assembly has endorsed its 2019 fiscal strategy paper that will see the 30 electoral wards share the Sh1.2 billion development vote equally.

The move will give residents power to decide what projects to channel the funds to at the ward level. This is unlike in the past when projects could receive huge allocations based on decisions of the county leadership.

Each of the 30 wards will now receive Sh43 million from the 40 per cent funds allocated for development.

The new method of implementing projects was adopted following recommendations of the county residents during public participation forums organised by the Budget and Appropriations Committee.

The locals complained that they were being denied a chance to benefit from programmes that they supported.

Jonathan Ng'etich, the committee chairperson, who moved the motion for the adoption of the proposed fiscal strategy paper said priorities would follow resources.

“In the spirit of fairness, the move is in line with Article 201 on the principle of public finance which states that expenditure will promote equitable development of the county by making special provisions for marginalised groups and areas,” he said.

He said citizens, during public participation sittings, unanimously agreed to have their taxes shared out among wards.

“It is coincidental that each ward is rooting to prioritise roads followed by water and health. As an assembly, we followed what the citizens said,” he added.

Assembly Leader of Majority Josphat Lowoi said the move had given citizens sovereign powers to decide how their resources would be spent.

“It is clear that most wards have different priorities based on the needs. There are areas in the central business district that do not require similar services like the ones found in the rural areas,” said Lowoi.