- Kajiado county assembly majority leader John Loisa told the Star he called off the meeting “after we realised we cannot continue working with Lenku”.
- Lenku said that in the spirit of rallying all leaders in seeking solutions to "our problems", he had invited all the MCAs for a consultative meeting starting Sunday
Image: KURGAT MARINDANY.
A section of MCAs from Kajiado county have vowed to skip a crucial two-day meeting convened by Governor Joseph Ole Lenku.
On Sunday, 26 MCAs allied to the Kenya Kwanza Alliance said they will snub the meeting that begins at Maanzoni Lodge, Machakos County, from Sunday evening.
The other 15 who are allied to Azimio La Umoja coalition said they will be attending the meeting to hold candid talks with the governor.
Kajiado County Assembly Majority Leader John Loisa told the Star that he called off the meeting “after we realised we cannot continue working with Lenku”.
“Lenku is treating us, MCAs, like Grade One children by denying our people bursary in the wards that voted overwhelmingly for UDA in the last general election,” claimed Loisa.
He claimed that the governor is breaking the law in dishing out bursary funds to village administrators instead of channelling the same through the offices of the MCAs.
However, Joshua Olowuasa of the Wiper party said the meeting in Maanzoni is about the welfare of Kajiado residents in the wake of the long drought and not politics.
The MCAs were expected to book in at the Maanzoni hotel on Sunday evening for the leaders meeting to take off under the chairmanship of Lenku from Monday to Tuesday.
The Kenya Kwanza allied MCAs said they will be converging in Kiserian from Sunday evening to Monday to discuss how best they will move forward with governor Lenku in the next five years.
In his response, Lenku said he is following the law on the distribution of bursary funds to students in the wards.
The governor said the MCAs and the Kajiado Senator should refer to the Kajiado Bursary and Scholarship Act of 2016.
“Those claiming so are trying to destruct our effort in dealing with the pain occasioned by the ongoing drought and the prevailing economic environment,” said Lenku.
Lenku said that in the spirit of rallying all leaders in seeking solutions to "our problems", he had invited all the MCAs for a consultative meeting starting Sunday.
“Our meeting will focus on modulated pastoralism that will secure sustainable livelihoods for our people. It will also discuss strategies for how to make our towns liveable through the provision of essential services,” said Lenku.
The governor told the Star he expected the meeting to discuss the creation of a climate proofed environment to safeguard the present and future generations.
“The discussion will be devoid of our political party affiliations as it is centred on our people's wellbeing,” added Lenku.
He said the discussions that will take place at Maanzoni will be escalated to the grassroots through public participation forums.
Even as Lenku attempted to downplay the issue of bursary distribution, Kajiado Senator Kanar Seki asked him to come clear on the matter.
“I am extremely disturbed by reports of unfair distribution, the governor should consider the plight of innocent children and stop playing politics in serious matters of education, especially this crucial time of drought,” said Seki.
He said Lenku must be reminded that bursaries from public funds must be released, processed and disbursed in a fair and equitable manner devoid of political undertones.
“As Kajiado senator, I am urging the governor to consider the plight of innocent children and to stop playing politics with serious matters of education, especially during this crucial time of drought,” Seki said.
We need a united leadership that is committed to service delivery without sectarian considerations, Seki added.
Image: KURGAT MARINDANY.