Kisii County Assembly Members Call for Investigation of Governor’s Development Claims
KISII – Members of Kisii County Assembly are urging the Ethics and Anti-corruption body and the Department of Criminal Investigations to probe statements made by Governor Simba Arati concerning development activities in the county. This request follows Governor Arati’s recent remarks during President Dr. William Ruto’s visit and a live media appearance in Kisii.
According to Kenya New Agency, Governor Arati’s claims about the county’s progress in sectors like roads, health, education, agriculture, trade, and industry are misleading. They are demanding accountability for the funds allegedly spent on these projects.
During a gathering in Kisii town on Thursday, Bobasi Botangaire ward MCA Thomas Obare refuted Arati’s assertion of constructing 128 Early Childhood Development Classrooms. Obare clarified that the 2023-2024 budget did not include new ECDE projects, focusing instead on completing ongoing ones. He called for transparency about the number and location of the classrooms the governor claimed to have built.
The MCAs are insisting on public disclosure of all details related to these projects, including the tendering process, the contractors’ identities, and the timeline of commencement and completion.
On the issue of bursaries, Bouse Mairura, another MCA, requested an immediate investigation into the alleged misappropriation of funds. Mairura noted that the assembly allocated Sh225 million for bursaries, with Sh5 million earmarked for each ward and an additional Sh20 million allocated to the governor’s office. However, he raised concerns about the distribution of bursary forms and the equitable distribution of scholarships across the county’s 45 wards.
Regarding road construction, Bogiakumu Ward MCA Ishmael Bosire stated that the 200KM of roads Governor Arati claimed to have built were actually national government projects. Bosire mentioned that the county assembly had set aside Sh750 million for road development, but implementation has been delayed.
Bosire also criticized the reduction of the last supplementary budget by Sh300 million for constructing an industrial park, a decision he believes will impact the wards negatively. He added that the markets in Magena and Marani, which Governor Arati took credit for, were initiated by former governor James Ongwae and funded by the World Bank.
The MCAs concluded by appealing to Governor Arati to judiciously use the county’s allocation for the development of avocado and banana factories, emphasizing the need to deliver on promises made to the residents of Kisii County.