The Meru Governor, Kiraitu Murungi has lauded the Meru County Assembly members for shooting down the Punguza Mizigo Bill 2019 terming the bill as an abstract academic initiative, not properly thought out to offer any solutions to problems affecting Kenyans.
Speaking during this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations at Kinoru Stadium, Murungi said as a county they were waiting for other initiatives towards the constitutional amendment.
The Governor however, hinted that any initiative advocating for more disbursement of funds to the devolved units will be highly welcome for debate.
“We understand that the BBI report is about to be ready and to be released. We are going to read it. But we shall be looking keenly at one thing. If it does not increase funds allocation to counties we shall oppose it,” said Murungi.
Murungi said they were ready to dialogue with any party coming up with constitutional amendment initiatives as long as they advocate for more funds to the counties and inclusivity.
He said Kenya is a multi-ethnic community and each one of the tribes must feel part of the national government.
Murungi said Meru County is part of Kenya and the country cannot be complete without it hence the need for more inclusivity.
The governor said he had no problem seeing sons and daughters from the region occupying senior positions in government and added that there is no issue with BBI creating more senior positions at the national government.
“We have no problem with BBI creating more positions at the national level but as long us each county is represented at the national government or the executive as ministers, principal secretaries and chief administrative secretaries,” he noted.
Meanwhile, the Governor has called for the increase of budgets to the Judiciary saying two percent should go to the arm of government so that it increases human resources to expedite cases.
He also added that since agriculture is the backbone of the country, ten percent of the national budget should be given to farmers.
“We cannot talk about food security in the abstract. Give our farmers subsidized fertilizers, certified seeds and help them have a sustainable market for their produce,” said Murungi.
The Meru County Assembly members rejected the Punguza Mizigo Bill 2019, where 42 members opposed the bill against 17 who supported it with two members absconding the session.
By Richard Muhambe
