BY PATRICK NDAHI
Residents of Nyahururu on Thursday, June 30, had an opportunity to go through the budget for the financial year 2011/2012 proposed by the local Municipal Council.
The budget, read by the chairman of the Finance, Staff and General Purpose’s committee, Timothy NduhiuBeru, was received with mixed reactions by the stakeholders and members of the public.
Mayor Peter WaweruThiari chaired the meeting wananchi questioned and commented on the implementation of Sh 134, 830, 206 estimated revenue.
Nduhiu was very clear and eloquent on how these funds will be sourced, with Sh16M set to be raised from bus parks, Sh 13 M from rates and ground rents, and Sh 12 M from single business permitsnot to mention donations from partners like Finland Local Authorities - Janakalla and Hatulla, among others who are expected to chip in..
The chairman directed the chief officers to respond to question relevant to their respective departments, even as he personally tackled some of the question and criticism from the gallery.
Notable were questions arising from the review of the previous year 2010/2011 budget’s capital project expenditures to which it was agreed that projects that were not completed or started at the end of May be done in this financial year.
A Real Estate manager within the municipality, Francis Githaigachallenged the council to show commitment to the implementation of the budget saying he failed to understand why Nyahururu was lagging behind in infrastructural development compared to other developing towns.
“Why should the council watch our roads wear out and wait for the Ministry of Roads to react?” posed Githaiga, who also argued that town planning needs to be revisited.
NyahururuJua Kali Association Chairman, Francis NjegaNgatia, was among those who echoed Githaiga’s sentiments, and advocated for transparency and integrity in the activities carried out by the council.
The public was also informed that bursary cheques were ready and will be released next week and only needy students within the municipality will benefit.
The council has six elected councillors, two nominated councillors, one public officer and 140 junior employees whose salaries and allowances were also factored in the budget.
Sh 293M for
Nyandarua County Council
Meanwhile, Nyandarua County Council fraternity gathered at the County Chambers on Thursday, June 30, where the 2011/12 financial year budget was read
Tension reigned high as the Sh 293M budget that would facilitate the operations of the 34-ward council, was presented by the Finance, Staff and General Purposes chairman, SilvesterKagiriMwangi.
The meeting was chaired by County Council Chairman K. Muchiri, under the theme “Building Resilience and Sustaining Inclusive Growth for Prosperous Kenya.”
Questions and comments on the budget carried the day with the chairman to the council and chief officers responding to the questions to the apparent satisfaction of the present gallery.
The attendants commended the council for its commitment in service delivery, but called for integrity, transparency and diligence in the implementation of the budget.
The finance chairman noted that the budget deviate from that of last year by an increment margin of 36M in revenue collection and 40M in anticipated expenditure.
Budget reading exercise was done in all 174 local authorities in the country.
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