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Budget Forced Through, Say MCAs – Was Money Involved?

  • Writer: Blaise Gitonga
    Blaise Gitonga
  • Jul 1
  • 2 min read

A section of Tharaka Nithi County Members of County Assembly (MCAs) has raised integrity concerns after the motion to adopt the report of the Select Committee on Finance, Budget, and Appropriations Bill 2025 was passed.


The nine MCAs, who opposed the motion, raised a red flag over possible payoffs to the 14 MCAs who voted in favor of the budget, further deepening disputes within the assembly as allegations of bribery emerged.


“KShs 14 million was allegedly used to ensure the budget was passed. Governor Muthomi Njuki has shoved the budget down residents' throats. The MCAs who supported it have entangled themselves in county deals, and that is why our county remains underdeveloped. Whenever Governor Njuki is investigated and summoned, money exchanges hands and he walks free. You may have won on numbers, but don’t think you’ve won morally,” said Igambang’ombe MCA Joseph Njeru Ing’ara.


Ing’ara stated that the nine dissenting MCAs wanted the budget returned to residents, who had rejected it during public participation, for approval following amendments.


“What Governor Njuki has demonstrated today is his contempt for the residents of Tharaka Nithi and disregard for their opinions,” he added.


Mitheru Ward MCA Nevert Ntwiga noted that the group of nine would now embark on a fact-finding mission and offer robust oversight to ensure accountability in the allocation of project funds.


“Four of those initially opposed to the budget were swayed into supporting it. They’ve not betrayed us, they’ve betrayed the people who elected them. The nine of us are enough to provide oversight and elevate Tharaka Nithi. We urge the public to demand accountability from MCAs who voted in favor,” he said.


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Chiakariga Ward MCA Joseph Kinyua (ZM) observed that most projects allocated to Tharaka Constituency were pegged on conditional grants, which the county might not receive. He accused Governor Njuki of using nominated MCAs to galvanize numbers and marginalize the constituency.


“Tharaka Constituency lacks a nominated MCA, and this has been weaponized to mistreat and stigmatize our community. Nominations must be equitably distributed across all constituencies. We’re convinced money was used to sway the 14 members who supported the budget,” he said.


Leader of Majority and Mukothima Ward MCA Luke Nyaga Marengo said he rejected the budget because it lacked equity, adding he was prepared to be removed as Majority Leader for standing with the people.


“There are efforts to dismiss me as Majority Leader for opposing the budget. But I voted to represent the interests of my ward. I won’t be blinded by status or financial incentives. We remain united with our residents,” he said.


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“I voted ‘No’ on behalf of the people of Marimanti Ward. This budget motion was adopted against their will. Previous budgets under this regime have yielded no tangible results. What we expect now from Governor Njuki is full performance in our wards,” said Marimanti Ward MCA Kennedy Kamunyu.


Nominated MCA Lucy Muthoni Ndiga called for the completion of pending projects from previous budgets and affirmed her commitment to standing with the people to the end.

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