The Nairobi assembly has started the 2016-17 budget-making process after a two-month stand-off with the executive over gratuity.
The MCAs refused to start the process until the treasury released Sh112 million gratuity and for completion of new chambers, which has been receiving a face-lift since 2013.
Yesterday, Assembly Budget Committee chairman Michael Ogada said his committee is in Naivasha scrutinising the county fiscal strategy paper, a key document in making the budget.
Governor Evans Kidero ordered the treasury to release Sh50 million gratuity to the MCAs, with an assurance to release the remaining amount in a month.
“The problem was purely cash flow from the treasury to the assembly. But we have received Sh50 million which is purely gratuity. The rest will come in the course of the month,” Ogada said.
Last month, speaker Alex Magelo directed the budget committee not to consider all businesses from the executive, including approval of the CFSP until money is released.
Magelo had in a letter dated March 11 protested to Kidero against the county treasury's move to cut the assembly’s monthly allocation by Sh112 million.
The money was to cater for the MCAs’ gratuity and the completion of the new assembly chambers.
“As indicated in the work plan, the amount questioned was meant to cater for members’ gratuity and payment for the conclusion of the county assembly chamber, which as you are aware is long overdue,” Magelo said.
He said gratuity and completion of the chamber are matters so close to the MCAs' hearts and if not addressed carefully, may negatively impact on the relations with the executive.
Finance executive Gregory Mwakanongo had in a letter dated March 9 told the assembly he could not release the Sh112 million as stipulated in the assembly’s work plan because the assembly did not meet its revenue collection target in February.
“In February 2016, collections from our internal sources fell short of the target, thereby affecting our operations," Mwakanongo said.