By Anchor Writer
Governor Malombe Gets His Way as House Approves Supplementary Budget
The Kitui County Assembly has unanimously approved Governor Julius Malombe’s memorandum on the Supplementary Appropriation Bill, 2024 (County Assembly Bill No. 5, 2024).
The approval ends a stand off between the assembly and governor Malombe after the later rejected the initial Budget based on misallocation of funds by the assembly. Malombe then send a memorandum to the speaker outlining his reasons for the rejection.
In particular, Malombe also sought the removal from the budget of Kes 100m set aside for offices for the County Assembly Members, saying that the assembly does not have the capacity to absorb such a hefty amount of money in a single financial year.
The approval follows a motion moved by Kanyangi MCA Mr. Bonface Katula Mukwate, who is a member of the County Budget and Appropriations Committee, and seconded by Mr. Erastus Musyoka Mbuno, who represents Endau/Malalani ward and is also the Deputy Majority Leader.
The report, tabled by the committee, endorsed all changes proposed in the Governor’s memorandum, citing sufficient justification for each reallocation. “The committee recommends that all the proposals contained in the Governor’s memorandum be approved,” read part of the report.
Speaker Mr. Kevin Kinengo Katisya praised the Budget Committee for their diligence in finalizing the report. “Budget is a negotiated process, and this report is a result of tough negotiations. I thank you, Honourable Members,” said the Speaker.
The Assembly’s approval now allows the Kitui County Government to implement the FY 2024/2025 Supplementary Budget (I) Estimates, valued at Kshs. 14.8 billion, originally approved on November 13, 2024.
