Kiambu Senator Karungo Thang’wa has put forward a significant bill in the Senate aimed at ensuring equitable development across all wards, shifting away from the dependency on county governors’ political goodwill for development projects.
The County Wards (Equitable Development) Bill, 2024, is designed to uphold the principles of devolution mentioned in Article 174 of the constitution by mandating that development initiatives be uniformly distributed.
The introduction of this bill addresses the concerns voiced by Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) regarding the uneven spread of development projects, which have historically been influenced by political agendas. The proposed law requires that county governments distribute their resources evenly, ensuring that all wards receive fair development opportunities.
Published for its first reading in the Senate, the bill outlines a plan for county executive committees to distribute development projects equitably across all wards within a medium-term timeframe. This equitable distribution will be guided by recommendations from the Commission for Revenue Allocation, aiming to ensure that each ward benefits appropriately from government resources.
A key aspect of the bill is the formation of the Ward Projects Identification Committee, to be led by a County Executive Committee (CEC) member. This committee will consist of community representatives from various sectors, charged with the task of selecting development projects through a process that encourages public participation.
After projects have been identified, the responsibility shifts to the County Finance CEC to present these proposals to the county assembly for approval. Once approved, the projects will be announced to the public, highlighting the bill’s commitment to transparency and community involvement in the development process. Emphasis is placed on projects that improve infrastructure and provide basic services directly to the grassroots level.
Furthermore, the bill sets strict regulations for the efficient allocation and management of funds assigned to ward development projects, requiring that any fund re-allocation within the financial year receive county assembly approval. This measure aims to curb the mismanagement of development funds.
The bill also addresses accountability and corruption issues head-on by outlining severe penalties for officials who misappropriate project funds. Specifically, “The offender, upon conviction, shall be liable to imprisonment for a term of not less than five years or to a fine of not less than Sh500,000 or to both.” This provision underscores the serious commitment to ethical management of resources and the equitable distribution of development projects across all wards.
Through this legislation, Senator Thang’wa seeks to decentralize development initiatives, ensuring that every ward, irrespective of political or geographical differences, has equal access to development benefits.
