Another supremacy battle between the Nyamira County Assembly and Executive is brewing after the MCAs scrapped Governor Amos Nyaribo’s proposed budget for recruitment of technical staff.
The MCAs disallowed Nyaribo from setting aside about Sh80 million, meant for recruitment of about 90 technical staffs whose employment process is almost complete.
Interviews for the 90 technocrats Nyaribo had proposed to employ are completed and successful applicants are awaiting appointment, according to the County Public Service Chairman Dr Peter Kereri.
According to the Budget and Appropriations Committee Chairman George Nyachae of Kemera Ward, the Assembly reappropriated Governor Nyaribo’s requisitioned budget for the staff which was part of the proposed Sh482 million budget for the County executive.
Nyachae said the money will be redirected to fund roads projects which he said are key for the county residents.
“As a Committee, we had moved to spare the Governor the monies he requested for the employment, but the House in the wisdom of the MCAs saw it best the monies for recruitment of technocrats be drawn to alternative expenditure,” Nyachae said.
The budget initially had Sh90 million set aside for roads but the figure was adjusted and approved by the MCAs to Shs 460 million.
The County Chief had set out to hire economists, accountants, disaster management, environmental and ICT officers whom he said were lacking in the county workforce.
In the budget, the county will plough back unspent balances of Sh1 billion that will be added to the Sh5.1 billion equitable share and about Sh446 million projected own sourced revenue in the Sh7.4 billion budget.
According to the Chairman, the Assembly was also keen on slicing most projects that were said to be directly meant to benefit the people of his Magwagwa Ward residents.
In the new proposals, the Department of Health will be the greatest beneficiary after it was allocated Sh1.9 billion.
The County Assembly allocated itself Sh822 million while the department of Agriculture was allocated Sh4peoplepeople.
The stance taken by the Assembly has been viewed as a new battlefront against the Governor who has not known peace over six months after taking over from the late John Nyagarama in December.
Nyagarama died of Covid-19 related complications, occasioning the ascension of Nyaribo to the higher office.
Until early in May, the Assembly was at the crossroads with Nyaribo ĺover nomination of his Deputy with the Reps ganging up to fell his candidate Dr James Gesami
About two months ago, Nyaribo brokered a truce with the House and announced a ceasefire which now could be in the headwinds of reignition.
The budget is set for debate on Tuesday before it is passed by the House ahead of the June 30 deadline.
By Francis Orina
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