• MCAs have blamed the executive for laxity in implementing the fund which was passed in 2014.
•They say they don't receive the money even though it has been budgeted for.
The Nairobi county executive has been blamed for laxity and not fast-tracking the implementation of the Ward Development Fund passed in 2014.
Nairobi County Assembly Ward Development Fund committee chairperson Patricia Mutheu on Wednesday said the ward representatives don't get the money although it is budgeted for and in the County Integrated Development Plan.
She complained that the executive has been playing games with the assembly, always faulting the controller of budget for not releasing the funds.
"The executive should set aside money for WDF which is meant to do equalisation and this is what devolution means. It is supposed to be five per cent of the annual income of the county,” Mutheu said.
"Every time the issue is brought up the executive brings the COB which is just an excuse. The WDF needs to be implemented in all 85 subcounties because the residents expect to see the impact of the five per cent," she added.
Mutheu, who is the Mlango Kubwa MCA, said the executive should set aside Sh505 million as Ward Development Fund.
This is five per cent of Sh10.1 billion which was the total revenue collected in the last financial year.
In the last financial year, the executive is said to have procured projects worth Sh700 million through a vote head called WDF.
Most of the projects are said to have stalled.
“The assembly had projects around Sh700 million procured through public works department but christened WDF which were not fully implemented. We want the executive to fast-track payment of stalled projects,” Mutheu said.
Other MCAs also complained of millions of shillings lost in the projects.
“I do not have any project by the name Ngara Lane project yet I can see in this list where it has been allocated Sh10 million,” Ziwani ward rep Millicent Mugadi said.
Imara Daima MCA Kennedy Obuya said, “There was a 2016-2017 project in my ward to install six high mast street lights. The project has been declared complete yet only one street light is working."
Majority Whip Waithera Chege (South B MCA ) wanted MCAs to be allowed to have a say in the projects in their wards.
Umoja One's Mark Mugambi said the ward reps understand best the projects their wards and their views should be sought.
Edited by Rosemary Wangui