Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi./HANDOUT
Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi has criticised both the National Assembly and Senate for allocating only Sh415 billion to county governments, saying it falls far below the projected amount.
Mwangangi argued that the minimum allocation to counties should have been at least Sh2 trillion out of the country’s total budget of Sh4.2 trillion.
Noting that many ministries and functions requiring significant funding had been devolved, the Deputy Governor termed the budget a major mockery of devolution.
He said the two Houses of Parliament should have risen above political influence to allocate counties what is rightfully theirs as a goodwill gesture to strengthen and deepen devolution.
“Otherwise, such a trend will only cripple county governments and deny Kenyans what is due to them,” he said, reiterating that the move was undermining devolution.
On the ongoing women empowerment programmes in the country, Mwangangi dismissed them as a waste of public resources, claiming their intent was to manipulate Kenyans politically.
“Such funds should be channelled appropriately to serve their true purpose, not used through backdoor schemes,” he said, insisting that Kenyans should not be reduced to receiving what he termed as handouts.
He called on President William Ruto to intervene and stop the unwarranted wastage of public funds, urging that proper procedures be followed in allocating such resources.
At the same time, Mwangangi also advised Deputy President Kithure Kindiki to stop what he termed “crocodile wooing” of Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, insisting that the efforts were in vain.
“With all due respect, let me advise the senior professor of law to keep his hands off Kalonzo, because the game he’s playing is futile,” he said.
The Deputy Governor added that if Kindiki feels he cannot do without Kalonzo, then he should cross over and join Kalonzo’s camp instead.
“At this point, neither Kalonzo nor anyone from his team
would dare board a sinking ship,” he exclaimed.
