Members of the County Assembly are pushing to have an enhanced bursary and Ward development fund in the 2024/25 financial year.
Speaking yesterday while debating the County Fiscal Strategy Paper (CFSP), Kanyekine MCA Hon. CPA Waziri Moses Maina said that development needs at the ward level are at an all-time high hence the need to increase the Ward Development Fund from the proposed Kes. 20 million per ward to at least Kes 30 million in the next financial year.
He also said that there are many parents who are struggling to put food on the table leave alone paying school fees for their children hence the need to increase the bursary kitty to Kes. 140 million.
“I wish to remind members that the 2024/25 budget is the second last budget for the third assembly. We must put every effort to accelerate development in our wards and help needy students in our jurisdiction through enhancement of bursary and Ward Development fund”. Hon. Moses Maina said.
Similar sentiments were said by Wamumu Ward MCA Hon. Peter Njiru who proposed the ward development kitty to be increased to Kes.35 million per ward. He also commended the cashless revenue collection saying that it will curb corruption thus raise the much needed resources for development.
Nominated MCA Hon. Daisy Githinji supported elected members in their quest to have an additional ward development kitty saying that there are many pending development projects in various wards.
Tebere Ward MCA Hon. Peter Karinga also supported the need for an enhanced bursary kitty noting the bursary applicants in Tebere Ward have risen from 2,000 to 3,000. “Mr. Speaker, last year, I received about 2,000 bursary applicants in my ward – I have seen the number increase to more than 3,000 this year and that is why I find it important for us to increase the bursary kitty” Hon. Karinga said.
Njukiini Ward MCA Hon. Timothy Kathuri was in support of his Kanyekine ward counterpart when he said that indeed the current ward development allocation of Kes. 15 million per ward is a drop in the ocean and should be enhanced in the next financial year. “Mr. Speaker, I am of the proposal that we allocate at least Kes.40 million per ward in the next financial year so that we can undertake various projects in the ward. Parents are also facing severe economic challenges and cannot be able to pay fees for their children. I am of the opinion that we also increase the bursary kitty” Hon. Timothy Kathuri said.
Kangai Ward MCA Hon. James Wambu noted that the 100 percent transition from Primary to Secondary school has seen many needy students apply for bursary. “Mr. Speaker sir, we are being forced to give little amounts to needy students because of surging applications. The proposed Kes 105 Million bursary kitty is a drop in the ocean” Hon. James Wambu said.
Nyangati Ward MCA Hon. Kenneth Ndambiri who was the mover of the motion, said that there were many competing needs noting that there is room for deliberations. He however applauded members for their contribution even as his Mukure Ward Counterpart Hon. Thomas Mwangi acknowledged the need for the budget committee to prioritise bursary and the ward development kitty.
Members unanimously passed the County Fiscal Strategy Paper with amendments.