Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa has restored the Ward Development Fund in his county.
This is a departure from his predecessor Wycliffe Oparanya who scrapped the fund in his second term, saying it was unconstitutional.
Oparanya replaced the fund with ward-based projects that were implemented by the executive, cutting off MCAs from the development agenda and their electorates.
This resulted in 75 per cent of the ward reps being sent home by voters in the August 9 general election for non-performance, as development only went to areas where MCAs were friendlier to the governor.
But on Thursday, Barasa said his administration will allocate Sh 1.2 billion for the Ward Development Fund.
“My government will give each MCA Sh 20 million to fund projects at the grassroots. As your governor, I will work closely with MCAs to ensure equity in development,” he said.
Barasa said his administration will equitably distribute flagship projects at the ward and sub-county levels and enhance citizen participation in county development.
The governor spoke at Shibale in Mumias Central ward during the homecoming ceremony for area MCA Ali Okomba on Thursday.
The ward fund operates like the Constituency Development Fund run by MPs under the national government.
The court has outlawed the CDF and Treasury has withheld disbursement of Sh44billion following the judgment.
The collapsed Building Bridges Initiative sought to entrench the Ward Development fund in the Constitution to free MCAs from the grip of governors and enable them to effectively check the excesses of the county bosses.
Barasa said he will join hands with all other stakeholders to ensure that collapsed Mumias Sugar Company is fully operational.
"Mumias Sugar will roar back to life,” said Barasa, who is the Council of Governors finance committee chairman.
He urged farmers to resume planting sugarcane so that the miller can have adequate raw materials for its sustainability once operational.
He promised to work with everyone irrespective of political persuasion including his opponents to steer the county to greater heights in development.
Edited by Henry Makori
