Political games over funding to the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) for transferred functions have intensified.
A new Supplementary Appropriations Bill presented to the County Assembly last Wednesday has been recalled, with slightly over a month left to the end of the financial year.
In the new Bill, NMS led by Mohammed Badi has been allocated Sh3.5 billion for its operations for the current 2019/2020 financial year that lapses in June. But even before it could be committed to the assembly for consideration, the new Bill was withdrawn.
It had been forwarded to the assembly for consideration following a consultative meeting between representatives from the City Hall and NMS, which was aimed at unlocking the financial stalemate. Both parties agreed to the allocations that were later forwarded to the Assembly.
The meeting was held after an earlier attempt by the County Assembly to allocate NMS Sh15 billion in April failed after Governor Mike Sonko declined to assent to the appropriations Bill. Instead, Sonko drafted a new Bill to ensure operationalisation of the NMS.
An MCA intimated to The standard that the Bill has been recalled due to the continued wrangles pitting Speaker Beatrice Elachi and the governor.
“From my understanding, the Bill was recalled after the assembly poked holes into it. The way this thing is playing out it is pointing to a continuation of the battle between the governor and the speaker,” said the MCA, who sought anonymity.
Sonko’s spokesperson Ben Mulwa also confirmed that the Executive recalled the Bill after realising that due process of the law was not followed.
Mulwa said it was the county attorney and not the finance executive that submitted the new Bill to the assembly contrary to the law.
“I am not sure if the speaker has received the Bill but I confirmed the bill has been forwarded. It is supposed to be forwarded by the Finance executive and not the County Attorney,” stated Mulwa.
Speaker Elachi confirmed the Bill was recalled by the executive after realising it did not follow due process as stipulated by the law.
Plenary sittings at City Hall are due to resume on June 2. The assembly had adjourned in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.
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