Executive Frustrating Five MCA’s, Jomvu Kuu Ward MCA Athman Shebe Alleges
By The Coast newspaper Team
A section of Mombasa county MCA’s have claimed that their wards are being sidelined as far as allocation of resources is concerned.
The MCAs cite their vocal nature in demanding for accountability of public monies as a reason for their frustrations.
Speaking at the sidelines of a public meeting in Mombasa, Jomvu Kuu ward Member of county Assembly Shebe Athman termed the move by the executive unfair.
According to him, Jomvu Kuu, Likoni, Kongowea, Frere town and Junda Wards representatives have had to bear the brunt of the executive due to their oversight role in questioning the use of public monies set aside for development projects.
The Jomvu Kuu ward MCA who also doubles as the chair of the assembly’s committee on environment, energy and waste management, said his firmness in such issues has negatively impacted his ward as he is unable to receive bursaries and other welfare funds.
The MCA said “As MCAs it is our responsibility to ensure that monies allocated by the national government together with revenue collected by the county is accounted for. Every time we want to know how funds allocated for various projects were utilized, we are told not to pursue such queries.”
He however claimed that the rest of the MCA’s (25) have benefited simply because they have gave in to the demands of the executive.
Athman acknowledged Mombasa county speaker Aharub Khatri saying he has been neutral on the issue.
March last year, the ward representative tabled a motion at the county assembly that sought to remove Transport executive Tawfiq Balala from office claiming incompetence.
Majority of the MCAs had supported the motion that led to the impeachment of Transport executive Tawfiq Balala but governor Joho and the county assembly entered into a truce and Balala was reinstated in his position.
Mombasa county chief had also threatened to dissolve the county government if the MCAs continued with their bid to remove some of the executives in his cabinet.
Meanwhile, Mombasa County director of communications Richard Chacha rubbished the claims terming them baseless.
He says the county assembly operates as an independent entity and therefore no one can interfere with its performance.
“MCAs get their allocations from the assembly. It is the assembly that is responsible for passing the budget. Those allegations are baseless” The county director of communications said.