Why CoB denied cash to Kitui and Machakos counties

 

By Mercy Musangi

Kitui and Machakos county are among the 28 counties which have been denied cash requests by the Controller of Budgets Mrs Margaret Nyango in the last seven months.

Mrs. Nyakango

During the period, CoB said it received a total of Kes 182.7 billion requisitions out of which only Kes 179.5 billion were approved. 

The 28 counties' declined requisitions were equivalent to two percent of the total requests.

The two counties were in a cohort of devolved units that requested for over Kes 150 million. Others in this league include Kisii,Turkana and Samburu.

Failure to justify why  Kitui and Machakos county needed this amount of money, Diversion of funds by the counties, failure to follow cash request guidelines,wastage of the earlier issued funds and high wage bill outside the legal threshold are among some of the reasons which led to denial of these cash requests, according to a report on Approval of Requisitions by CoB

Other counties denied cash includ Bungoma,Kisii,Nairobi and Narok among others, due to unsupported expenditure on foreign travel and frequent requests for standing imprests for the same offices instead of replenishments and without taking personal responsibility for them.

Other reasons stated by the CoB includ high wage bill outside the Integrated Payroll and Personell Data Base( IPPD), irregular diversion of funds meant for salaries to operation expenses, mainly statutory and other payroll deductions.

Concerning the matter, the affected counties were advised by the CoB to liaise with the National Treasury and the Central Bank of Kenya to automate the exchequer process to enhance efficiency and effectiveness in funds release and accountability while reducing human interaction.

Raw sewer fears at Fourteen Falls

By Gastone Valusi in

Machakos.

Raw sewage mainly from Nairobi city is feared to be flowing into the river leading to Fourteen Falls.

The Fourteen Falls 

The sewer joins  the river upstream,posing serious health hazard

on consumers and even aquatic life down stream.

Youth who patronise the Falls allege rampant pollution of the water that has resulted in a sharp decline of visits by

tourists-especially foreign ones.

The pollution has also hampered fishing activities

that have been very popular along the river.

The youth say the sewage released into the river upstream has led to a sharp decline in tourist numbers.

"We can tell when the sewage is released into the river because the water suddenly turns green and a disgusting odor diffuses into the

air.

"Dead fish float on the water too," Kamau Mwanguli, one of the youth said.

Another youth - Alex Mutua said cattle and other animals avoid  drinking the water from the river during such times.

"The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) must take urgent measures to prevent further

pollution of the river that has been no doubt a life line for many and enforce regulations on safe waste disposal to safeguard the sanctity

of this facility and its direct and indirect beneficiaries,"he added.

Mr Mutua said the facility is a critical source of sustainable

revenue for the two counties of Machakos and Kiambu and as such, no efforts should be spared in protecting and promoting the site.

 The youths normally entertain tourists by diving at the Falls that lies on the boundary of Machakos and Kiambu counties.

Mutula seeks deep internet connectivity for Makueni

Nairobi: February 20, 2023

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Junior is pulling on all stops to ensure enhanced connectivity and innovation in Makueni.

The governor today met ICT and Digital Economy PS Eng. John Tanui to explore on possible areas of collaboration to make Makueni technologically linked with Kenya and the globe as a whole.

Key highlights of the meeting include preparing  the Konza Technopolis Data Centre to host the county data to ensure security, the stablishment of a number of village digital hubs by June 2023, the upgrading of the current 14 Community ICT centres and securing support in automation of key government services. Other areas of focus include the implementation of Kibwezi,Kathonzweni and Mbooni County Connectivity Projects and upgrading the Wote Technical Training institute to receive with a at least 100 computers.

The department of ICT was tasked with identifying and mapping of two hotspot centers, to be operationalized by June this year.

Kalonzo: Wiper to support Azimio rallies

The Wiper Party says it fully supports Azimio La Umoja-One Kenya coalition’s ongoing nationwide rallies.

Mr.Musyoka at the media briefing

 The opposition coalition’s leader Raila Odinga has been mobilising supporters during the well attended rallies to oppose the Kenya Kwanza government.

The announcement comes hardly a week after Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka allowed party Governors to cooperate with President William Ruto but 'not to forget their party'

He did not make reference to his cooperation stance on Governors who sat through the press briefing, perfectly executing double speak over cooperation with Ruto.

In a statement on Sunday after a two-day retreat in Naivasha,Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka said Wiper remains in Azimio and backs the public engagement forums.

“We firmly remain in the Azimio La Umoja - One Kenya Alliance… We fully support the ongoing Azimio La Umoja - One Kenya Peoples' Barazas,” the Wiper leader told journalists.

Accusing President Ruto’s leadership of trying to divide the Azimio coalition in purported efforts to “legitimise their fraud”, Musyoka said his party will not allow Kenya to crumble down to what he called dark days of pre-multi-party politics.

“We will not allow this country to retrogress back to the dark days of the one-party state. Despite all their efforts, we remain intact and united.”

Odinga has lined up a series of rallies in various counties as he mobilises supporters to reject the President William Ruto’s regime.

And while he has already held several rallies in Nairobi, Machakos and Kisumu counties, there have been reports going round that Kalonzo Musyoka’s party is not in support of the rallies.

He also cited rising unemployment rate and an “alarming” state of insecurity.

At the retreat, the party also said it had resolved that its MCAs should fully support governors and work together.

Theft of materials threatens construction of Thwake Dam

By Daniel Kituku 

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr  has expressed fear of stalling The Thwake Dam project due to massive theft of construction Materials. 

Thwake Dam project site

Speaking to The Anchor,  Mutula said theft  of cement , metal and fuel among other materials from the project site may derail the completion of the project. 

Stolen materials are carted to hardware shops and sold as stock to residents at discounted rates. Other materials are taken to homes and construction sites belonging to those in the theft networks. 

The theft, Governor Mutula said,  is carried out by a cartel comprising of security officers manning the site and senior government officials .

He asked for thorough  investigation and legal action to be taken against those liable for loss of the construction materials. 

Mutula asked the government to ensure all National government projects are secured from theft and completed on time .

Some few  days ago police responding on a tip off from Mavindini residents carried out an operation and seized some metals including iron sheets from Thwake Dam project .

Police sub County Commander Kathonzweni Martin Kangala confirmed theft of construction materials from Thwake Dam  worth kes 500, 000.00.

Kangala said police arrested one suspect found in possession of ironsheets and metal from Thwake project .

He said the suspect has already been presented to court and further investigations are on going to arrest more suspects.

The first phase of Thwake project was to end in 2021 which never happened. 

Ends

Wavinya,MCAs brace for a fight

Tension is high amid growing uncertainity in a bitter row between the Machakos County Assembly and The County Executive.

Nzioka and Wavinya at Naivasha

The tiff surrounds Governor Wavinya Ndeti's stand over the level of funding for bursaries and who manages the funds.

According to our sources Governor Ndeti  has  unilaterally slashed the earlier proposed  bursary budget by 50 percent- from  Kes 80 million to Kes 40 million.

To add salt to injury, Wavinya has  allegedly identified her

appointed Coordinators- and not the MCAs- to execute the distribution of the funds.

This, the sources say, has left the MCAs bitter to a point of open revolt. They are not hiding it.

This position is what caused the MCAs to walk out on the governor in a meeting held in her office last Monday.

The following day, they thwarted a scheduled resumption of sittings for the First Sitting of the Second Session of the Third Assembly, spending the whole day in an extremely tension packed Kamukunji. 

On Wednesday,  half of Wiper MCAs boycotted the First Sitting of the assembly that however established the House Business Committee. 

The walk out from her Monday meeting has in turn infuriated the governor,making her livid to the point of  taking the fight to the wards where the MCSs are elected. She did it in style.

To prove her resolve,Wavinya, living to her name,  went to Kalama on Tuesday where a loser in the last election was introduced as the person to manage bursaries in the ward on her behalf and openly criticised the elected leader as lost. She was attending a Public Participation meeting in the company of her Deputy Francis Mwangangi which was boycotted by the local MCA.

It is also alleged that the Govenor rants menacingly at the  MCAs who tend to express their opinions that differ from hers or those who support her. 

It is claimed that  this habit has not quite settled well, with some terming it as dictatorial,  immature and disrepectul. 

Governor Ndeti on the other hand is citing the principle of Separation of Powers between the two arms of government, saying MCAs have no administrative authority over bursary funds. Our sources say Wavinya is merely carrying out her role as the elected governor who campaigned on a manifesto she is entitled to fulfill. " Ideally, she has a well cut out role as Governor just as the assembly members have theirs. Let no arm interfere with the other", a source that leans towards the governor said. 

This comes at a time that the  Wiper party  Members want to dethrone the  Assembly's Majority leader  who is also the Machakos Central ward Representative Nicholas Nzioka. They allege he has failed to play his role as expected and has also developed an overblown ego. Efforts to obtain a comment from Nzioka failed as he did not respond to calls and sms message from The Anchor. 

The development came as theWiper party  was holding meeting in Nakuru County. It is however not clear if the dethronement of  Nzioka or the tiff with MCAs was discussed in the meeting.

The sources say Wavinya and the MCAs will attempt to thrssh their issues at a meeting on Monday.

40 Mbooni Women Groups get Kes 8.5m for loans

 

By Daniel Kituku 

40 Women Groups in Mbooni  have today benefited with Kes 8.5 Million to better their livelihoods under the Women Enterprise Fund programme. 

Speaking at Kikima social Hall, Mbooni Member of Parliament Erastus Kivasu  confirmed for the last 4 months women in a Mbooni have received  Kes 22.65 Million and over kes  200M for the last 5 years. 

The legislator  cautioned some fraudsters within Women groups from interfering with the WEF programme. 

He urged Women to borrow funds they can invest and pay back to borrow more .

The legislator also asked youth,  men  and women to organise themselves into registered groups to benefit from government funds .

He said Youth Fund , Women Enterprise Fund and Uwezo Fund are government programmes to help Kenyans eradicate poverty and urged them not to fear when borrowing from them.

danielsmth732@gmail.com

Makueni Mango Festival Coming

By Governor's Press Service 

NAIROBI: Thursday, February 16, 2023

Makueni to Host Inaugural Mango Festival

Makueni is set to host the first ever National Mango Conference in Kenya to showcase the strides made in the mango value chain development as well as chat new strategies to increase revenues from the sector.

The deal to host the event was reached Thursday by Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr and the Director Horticultural Crops Directorate Benjamin Tito in Nairobi. 

The conference is themed "Winning markets for Kenyan Mango by meeting market requirements and standards."

All factors held constant, the conference will be held in mid May this year. 

According to County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture Joyce Mutua, the conference will bring together national and international mango value chain marketers, production experts, policy makers and producers to chat new strategies to promote the crop. 

The Horticultural Crops Directorate has also pledged to support Makueni in marketing the crop by among others securing the export market and licensing a local firm to export the crop.

Escaping hit and run driver killed

By Dennis Mwikya

A hit and run truck driver was burnt to death this evening  after an accident in Machakos town.

His escape ended in a head on collision with another truck, sparking flames that charred his body to ashes  next to Susu Centre.

The trucks burnt out as local authorities struggled to have a fire engine reach the scene.

Machakos subcounty police commander Moss Ndhiwa said the vehicles involved are a 40-feet trailer and a canter 

Police and members of the public are at the scene helped  put out the fire.

Mutula reaches out to ADB

NAIROBI: February 16th 2023

Knocking on Doors

Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr on today knocked on the doors of the African Development Bank Director General for East Africa region Nnenna Nwabufo.

Mutula is seeking ways on how Makueni can tap into the development financing of the Bank through the national government.

The county delegation was briefed on how to align development plans to fundable projects and programmes by the continental lender through ministries of the national government and other non-state development partners.

The team also reviewed ADB funded projects in Makueni among them Kyemwee and Utangwa irrigation schemes, Kibwezi West Vocational Training College with a view to fast-tracking their completion.

Wavinya to Raila: No more support from Ukambani

"Raila must support Kalonzo" 

By Regina Mueni 

Machakos governor Wavinya Ndeti has told opposition leader, Raila Odinga to back  Wiper party leader, Kalonzo Musyoka for the 2027 presidency,failure to which  he (Raila) will not get any support from the Kamba community. 

She pointed out that the community is tired of supporting Raila without reciprocation or respect, let alone showing any value of the relationship. 

Speaking in an agitated tone, the governor neither explained her fury nor gave the slightest background for her message to both Kalonzo and Raila.

Wavinya and Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr. have boycotted protest rallies called and addressed by the opposition chiefs to rubbish President William Ruto's election as President. 

The Governors have also pledged to cooperate with Ruto.

"I am telling Kalonzo without any fear  that he should ask Raila to support him come 2027. Failure to that, the community will not offer any support for Raila" Wavinya Declared,adding that despite of the  community's numerical supremacy mockery has been the order of the day. 

Her sentiments were echoed by her deputy, Francis Mwangangi who requested the governor to lend a deaf ear to the busy bodies critiquing her working relationship with President William Ruto's administration he added " Inorder to secure development projects from the Government you have to Show abit of  cooperation"

Machakos House Business Committee members

Machakos County Assembly has set up a House Business Committee to spearhead business in the assembly in the new session.

Assembly sittings resume after bursary standoff

By The Anchor Reporter 

Machakos County Assembly today resumed sittings albeit with marked sluggishness. 

Assembly Speaker Ms. Kiusya  on the chair

 Members of the County Assembly(MCAs) resumed business after a false start yesterday that was caused by a standoff over bursary budget.

However a majority of Wiper MCAs were missing during the session that lasted a little over 45 minutes and adjourned after establishing the House Business Committee. 

The tiff over bursary budget, according to sources, arises from a decision by the executive to slice it by a half- from Kes. 80m as proposed by the MCAs to Kes 40m. No agreement has been reached over the impasse. 

The session was presided over by Assembly Speaker Anne Kiusya. They resumed their regular Plenary sittings from a long recess,  marking the beginning of the Second Session of the Third Assembly.

Major works for Wote roads

WOTE: February 15th, 2023

The Department of Transport and Infrastructure in Makueni has launched a two-week Estate Roads grading program in Wote town to ease transportation and open up the areas for business opportunities. 

Mr Kyoni

The program entails grading, murraming and compacting of the targeted roads. By end of the two weeks, the department will have graded 29km of road network. 

County Executive Committee Member for Transport  Mr.Sebastian Kyoni flanked by Wote Ward MCA Felix Mateso and Wote Municipality Manager Joseph Katumo flagged off the exercise on Wednesday. 

Some of the Estates targeted for opening up include Town area, Shimo, Calosci, Nguumo/Malawi, Kundakindu, Slaughter, Westlands, Kasarani and Bangladesh. 

Kyoni said the county government is in talks with Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) for partnership to upgrade the roads to bitumen standards.

Malombe to pay suppliers

 

Kes 1.5 b set aside
to resolve old debts

By Mercy Mueni

The county government of Kitui will spend Kes. 1.5 billion to settle the county debt owed by suppliers and contractors by June this year. According the county governor Dr. Julius Malombe all the genuine contracts will be paid .

Standoff as Assembly sessions fail

Machakos County Assembly formal sittings failed to resume today as Members tussled with house leadership the whole day.

Majority Leader Mr N. Nzioka 

The ward Representatives are  demanding higher bursaries and a role in the disbursement,  a matter they are not agreeing with Governor Wavinya Ndeti.

The disagreement cascaded into a day ĺong stormy standoff at the County Assembly premises as they faced off with the Assembly leadership. 

Tension has been building since Monday when they met Governor Wavinya. They are proposing bursaries for Kes 2 million for each of the 40 wards. They are also demanding to be involved in the distribution.  The Governor is said to be pushing for Kes 1 million per ward and wants to be the central force in the distribution process.

The two sides did not agree, leading to the Kamukunji and failed resumption of formal sessions.  

The Assembly sittings were scheduled to resume today after a long recess since December last year. 

Reports indicate there is also a scheme by the Ward representatives  to dethrone the Majority Leader Nicholas Nzioka (Wangondi) who is also the MCA for Machakos Central. 

His position as leader of Government business in the county assembly is said to be earmarked for an undisclosed  MCA, who will henceforth become the 

Although the majority of MCAs whom we spoke to remained tight lipped about the circus, his accusers claim that Wangondi has failed to champion the interests of the MCAs, and has instead preferred to lean on the executive for his unclear interests. 

This, the MCAs say, could land them in serious trouble with the electorate who already expect substantial allocation to education bursaries in the prevailing hard economic times. 

A section of the mcas admitted there were "unresolved issues" which would be dealt with the following day (Wednesday). 

They however declined to mention what the issues were, and whom they touched. 

The development came on the same day governor Wavinya Ndeti kicked off another round of public participation hearings where she engaged citizens in Kathiani, Machakos Town, Kalama and Athi River,but despite  of some area Mps  been in their areas still on the same bursary issuance agenda,they did not attend the Governors meetings.

Working with President Ruto: Kalonzo blows hot and cold

 Wiper sends governors to

Ruto, blocks party MPs

By Daniel Kituku

Wiper leader is allowing  his party Governors to join hands and work with Ruto Administration to develop Ukambani. 

Mr Musyoka and Mr. Kilonzo Jr 

Speaking in Mbooni during the burial of the Late Paul Wambua , a Nairobi based businessman, the Wiper  supremo said he has given Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr,  Machakos Wavinya Ndeti and Kitui Governor Julius Makau Malombe a greenlight  to work with the current government. 

The remarks come shortly after Mutula announced he would boycott rallies that Azimio leader Raila Odinga, Martha Karua and Kalonzo himself  have called to reject the election of President Ruto.

Kalonzo warned the Governors not to forget their party Wiper as they work with the government. The meaning of this call 'not to forget' his party is open to wide interpretation and could be a call to support Wiper with resources coming from government. It could also mean that he is reminding them to keep their loyalty to his party.

In the same breath, Kalonzo issued a stern warning to  Ukambani Mps from joining Ruto administration. Mavoko MP Mr Patrick Makau has already signaled his readiness to support the Kenya Kwanza administration. 

He urged them to keep the Azimio One Kenya Alliance motto of pushing the government to deliver to Kenyans. 

Kalonzo defended the Raila Rallies citing harsh economic times and injustices in the Country. 

"People are crying for Justice , we have  no food. "said Kalonzo .

Kalonzo seems not to read from the same script with Ukambani Governors as  his caution comes a week after Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr vowed never to attend the Azimio Rallies/ Demonstrations  until  Kambaland is equally developed like the Luo Nyanza region .

His remarks appear to be a signal that he is unwilling to open a fight with governors as was the case in the last election cycle when he was at loggerheads with former governors Kaluki Ngilu, Kivutha Kibwana and Alfred Mutua.

danielsmth732@gmail.com

Gov. Ndeti sets eyes on investors

MACHAKOS Governor Wavinya Ndeti today conferred with Export Processing Zone Chairman Mr Ben Oluoch and the Chief Executive Officer  Hussein Muhammed. The meeting comes as the county chief continues to embrace ties with private investors.   

Governor Ndeti, her deputy Mr Mwangangi and
 ministers pose for a picture with the visitors

JICA's Machakos water plan

The Japan International Technical Cooperation Agency (JIKA Kenya)  JIKA Kenya  is back in Machakos to solidify its past projects to provide water to residents, giving hope as the County faces a growing water demand.

Mr Guliye (Left)welcoming the JICA team to his office

The team  led by Eng. Daisuke Sakamoto stated that after a 10 year hiatus, JICA  will study the rural water situation and visit some of the projects funded by JICA in Machakos County, utilize the existing database to support the county in providing water to the people.

JICA Director Masuda Shiniki confirmed that the team wanted to see the impact of their projects to the intended beneficiaries and find a solution to any challenges.

The team held a meeting with Machakos Water, Irrigation, Sanitation, Environment and Climate Change Chief Officer Abdullahi Guliyeand shortly after set out to visit three (3) boreholes supported by JICA in Mbuuni/ Ukwasini in Kathiani, Lower Kaewa Ward, Mukukuni in Mitaboni Ward and Utooni in Mutituni Ward.

Catholics in pilgrimage seek divine intervention

By Gastone Valusi 

in Machakos

Catholics faithful from Lower Eastern Kenya and local leaders yesterday converged to seek divine intervention over the effects of bad weather ravaging the region.

 Catholic Bishop King'oo 

They trooped to the Komarock Shrine from all directions to beseech the Almighty God for a swift intervention. 

Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Machakos,Norman King'oo led the pleadings and delivered a moving  sermon, appealing the two levels of government to  urgently send relief food to all areas affected by drought across the country in order to save lives.

Top political leaders including Wiper leader, Kalonzo Musyoka, Machakos Deputy governor, Francis Mwangangi, Machakos county MP, Joyce Kamene as well as Machakos Senator, Agnes Kavindu attended the prayers.

Bishop King'oo said leaders should also ensure the relief supplies were not diverted by greedy persons but were used for the benefit of the hunger stricken citizens.

“I ask Kenyans from all over the country to rise up and pray for our country. We need God to heal our country and open the skies for rains, because with its shortage we are now experiencing hunger. Many families are unable to afford food because the incomes are very low,” said Bishop King’oo. The prayers were interceding for peace and climate  as tens of thousands of catholic faithful paid pilgrimage to the Komarock Shrine in Machakos County. 

The faithful weathered the heat of the scorching sun on the rocky Hill.

The Bishop called upon Kenyans to set aside their tribal, religious, cultural and political differences to pray for the country’s ailing economy which he noted,  had been worsened by unfavorable climatic conditions.

Bishop King'oo said  the prevailing difficult economic and political environments posed a major threat on the efforts to foster peaceful coexistence among Kenyans.

The  prelate challenged political leaders at all levels to move swiftly and “do what they have to do” in order to rescue Kenyans from the fangs of the prevailing hardships.

“Leaders should have mercy on the people. They should understand that the majority of the citizens are poor and their incomes are low. They have to buy food and send their children to school,” he said.

Bishop King’oo lamented over the sorry state of River Athi, whose water has been condemned due to high levels of pollution despite being the sole lifeline of almost one third of Ukambani residents.

The Bishop lamented that leaders continued to look the other way as the main river continues to be bombarded with industrial and other urban waste.

“God knew that Ukambani is a dry region and that is why he ensured River Athi cuts across to supply the residents with a means of survival. But now we are where we are because the river has been heavily polluted leaving the residents exposed to all manner of dangers including disease and poverty,” he said.

He urged both the national and the county governments to ensure that the river is rehabilitated as soon as possible.

He however urged Christians to remain steadfast in faith and live exemplary lives to please God. “The church should not despair. Let us remain steadfast in faith and trust in God because He understands all our challenges and will surely heal us,” he said.