Busia County woman representative Ms Catherine Omanyo and her Kwale counterpart Ms Fatuma Masito have challenged the National government to increase the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) allocation terming it too small to cater to their county needs.
According to Ms Masito, despite having a lot of responsibilities across their respective counties as county Members of parliament, they receive the least allocation from the government compared to what the member of parliament receives yet MPS covers small areas.
“If a member of parliament receives almost sh150M annually from Constituency development fund and yet they cover a small area, it is unfair for the County member of parliament to receive only sh33M yearly, that is a drop in the ocean,” she said.
Giving an example with Busia county, she noted that they have 7 constituencies and each constituency receives sh140M, citing that 33M is never enough.
Addressing Business communities at Kolanya market in Teso North Busia county over the weekend Ms Matiso noted that there is a need for the government to increase NGAAF allocation to sustain their programs.
She added that the current economy is hurting common citizens with high taxes and increased prices of basic commodities, challenging the government to stop oppressing Kenyans.
“Kenyans elected us in various capacities that come with allowances and a good life, but those who elected us are left suffering.
They can afford a simple meal and that is why as Azimio la Umoja brigades we agitated for bipartisan talks to give room for discussions to ease the cost of living to Kenyans,” said Ms Matiso
Her sentiments were echoed by her Busia colleague Ms Catherine Omanyo.
According to her, Busia County is big enough to receive only sh33 million yet the county governor who covers the same area as her receives more than sh6 billion.
“It is like someone was forced to allocate the position of county member of parliament in the constitution. Why have the elective post that you deny resources?
It is difficult for sh33 million to be distributed to youths, women groups, and people living with disabilities, bursaries to needy students, and other demands across the county.
The same area that is covered by the governor with an allocation of more than sh5 billion,” she noted
Malindi Member of Parliament Ms Amina Laura Mnyanzi urged Kenyans to remain calm and believe in the ongoing bipartisan talks adding that those opposing the talks are doing so for their own selfish interests.
“I am a member of bipartisan talks that is going on and I know what we are doing, one thing I want to assure you is that we are there to discuss issues affecting common citizens.
The issue of the cost of living is the main thing that we are discussing when we are having talks. We do not need a handshake as some people allege. We are there to discuss issues affecting Kenyans,” she stated.
The members of parliament used the opportunities to distribute sanitary towels to learners at Kolanya girls’ junior secondary school.
IAN BYRON