Furious MCA condemn county
officials over Kes 1 b project
By Daniel Kituku
Makueni Mcas Denied Value of Money in 574 Projects Under National Agricultural and Rural Growth Inclusive project (NARIGP)
Makueni County government Minister for Agriculture Joyce Mutua appeared before the Committee of the whole house Makueni Assembly for grilling over Kes. 1.196 Billion allocated for Agricultural projects in 21 wards of Makueni County .
Miss Mutua who is barely 6 months in office as minister was at pains to explain the value of money in projects undertaken by the NARIGP programme in a period of 5 years
Makueni MCAs termed the project as a cartel driven to steal public money. The Mcas decried being left out of this project.
Deputy Speaker Makueni Assembly Francis Mulwa confessed that the Mcas were not allowed to participate in the NARIGP programme accusing the Minister for being ellusive.
" Personally I went to a meeting, when NARIGP was starting and it was very clear from those who were organising it, in this programme we don't want politicians, " Said Mulwa the Mca for Mtito Andei .
" I was told in the face and I had to walk out, It was systematically planned to exclude us and that's why there are so many problems, " added Mulwa.
Mca Kikumbulyu North Jackson Mbalu said the masters of corruption in the department of Agriculture in Makueni must account for their evil deeds claiming their was a powerful commettee for the project .
" That was a cartel, let's face it so that we can move on, we cannot deny, that was a game coordinated to chew alot of money being questioned" Said Mbalu.
Chairman Budget Makueni Assembly and Mca Kako/ Waia, Dennis Musyoka accused the NARIGP commettee of not providing bill of quantities (BQ) for various projects in his ward.
He also added that he was excluded from implementation and planning meetings for the projects.
Member for Kikumini / Muvau ward Elizabeth Kawembe confirmed they were excluded from the NARIGP programmes and had serious issues .
She claimed the NARIGP commettees were so powerfull citing some government officials in the department of Agriculture Makueni who were contractors.
Responding to the allegations Agriculture minister Makueni confirmed there was no proper oversight from the Assembly.
She accepted lack of inclusion of Mcas in the programme as required as there was no county steering commettee .
" since we came in office, we constituted that commettee, and we can share minutes of that committee,Said Joyce Mutua minister Agriculture.
Makueni Assembly Speaker Douglas Mbilu who chaired the Committee of the whole House wondered why funds not accounted to Makueni County Assembly had part of it approved by the Assembly.
Mbilu said the good management of the NARIGP funds go to the good funding name in the national government while the mismanagement of the funds goes to the Members of county assembly and the governor.
He said this is a policy issue that the committee on Agriculture and the county treasury and governorship must discuss and find a way to complete that channel.
" Don't even request for the County allocation in respect of NARIGP unless we are very sure we are going to get a report ," commanded Speaker Mbilu.
Makueni Minister for Agriculture Joyce Mutua committed to provide all reports and close all gaps in the NARIGP programme going forward.
