Governor Wamatangi Signs Finance Bill, Launches Ward Development Fund

Kiambu County – Government is taking significant steps to enhance local development with the establishment of a Sh.600 million Ward Development Fund. Governor Kimani Wamatangi announced this initiative, which allocates Sh.10 million to each of the 60 wards in the region, aiming to drive development efforts at the grassroots level.

According to Kenya News Agency, the fund is part of a collaboration with the County Assembly to transform development models at the ward level. The legislation for the Ward Development Fund is currently under consideration by the County Assembly. Upon approval, the county administration has committed to allocating Sh.600 million to the fund, with plans to increase this amount progressively.

Speaking at the County Headquarters while assenting to the Kiambu County Finance Bill, 2023, Governor Wamatangi emphasized the importance of passing the Ward Fund Bill promptly. He noted that the legislation enables the county to collect Sh.7.9 billion in its own source revenue, supplementing their Sh.22 billion budget for 2023/2024. Wamatangi assured that the new law, which was unanimously passed by the County Assembly, would not increase existing levies. Instead, his administration focuses on sealing financial loopholes and adopting technology to increase revenue for development purposes.

The Governor expressed gratitude to the County Assembly for approving the bill and urged them to fast-track other pending legislations, particularly the Ward Development Fund Bill. This initiative is expected to establish a solid framework for grassroots development. He highlighted the unanimous approval of the Finance Bill as a sign of strong collaboration between the Executive and the County Assembly.

The passage of the Finance Bill comes after a previous failure in September due to disputes between the Governor and ward representatives. The MCAs had raised concerns over the use of public funds, demanding transparency and integrity in governance. Governor Wamatangi, however, has maintained that his leadership is marked by integrity and commitment to the county’s welfare.