Back to drawing Board as Controller of Budget rejects Kitui’s supplementary Budget

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Back to drawing Board as Controller of Budget rejects Kitui’s supplementary Budget

The Kitui County Supplementary Budget was approved by the County Assembly on 6th December 2022 and later submitted to Governor Malombe for assent.

After Governor Malombe assented to the Supplementary Appropriations Bill, he forwarded it to the National Government for gazettement.

However, the National Treasury stated that it won’t be possible to gazette the budget because there are changes in names made to some of the ministries.

Ben Katungi County Executive Committee Member of Finance, stated that” The National Treasury has since advised that it is not possible to change the names of the Ministries (Votes) on IFMIS in the middle of the financial year. This is due to the risk of loss of data on the originally approved budget since ministries have already incurred expenditures and done commitments in the system. In addition, the National Treasury brought to our attention the possibility of having difficulty in moving the supplementary budget reallocations on the IFMIS ledger once ministries are renamed.”

The CEC also noted that the Approved Appropriation Bill for Supplementary Budget had to be returned to County Assembly for harmonization of names in the Appropriation Act to IFMIS. The County Executive returned the Amended Appropriation Bill and Memorandum to the County Assembly for consideration on 8th December 2022 although the County Assembly was to resume their house sitting on 20th December 2022.

According to the CEC Katungi, the Memorandum requested the County Assembly to retain the names of the ministries as per the Budget approved before the August 2022 General Election for the Financial Year 2022/2023.

“The County Assembly is expected to approve the amended Supplementary Appropriation Bill, 2022 on Wednesday 21st December 2022. Once appropriation Bill, 2022 Gazettement of the same will be done on Thursday 22nd December 2022,” a letter from the finance CEC seen by Mauvoo News read.

The Controller of Budget is expected to clear the Budget for Uploading by Friday, 23rd December 2022.

However, Alex Nganga the MCA for Miambani and the minority leader who had earlier raised an alarm on the same claimed that it might be hard for the budget to be uploaded by 23rd December 2022 because when a Governor assents to a bill it is impossible to send it back to the assembly with a memorandum.

“By Assenting, the Governor means he agreed with the Bill as approved by the Assembly. A Memorandum to the Assembly by the Governor only happens in case the Governor refuses to assent to a Bill disagreeing with any content of the approved Bill. Just do a fresh Supplementary budget accommodating advisories from the Controller of Budget and bring it to the Assembly. We are ready to sit even on Christmas day to save the County,” the NARC MCA stated.

The County Assembly of Kitui is expected to resume its sitting on 20th December 2022 after they moved a motion to alter their annual calendar of the first session which had earlier indicated that they would go for recess on 8th December 2022. The motion was passed which paved the way for the assembly to go for recess on 22nd December 2022. This was to allow for the vetting and approval of the County Executive Committee members nominated by Governor Malombe.

Wavinya reveals number of suspected ghost workers in Machakos

Juline Mwikali
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Wavinya reveals number of suspected ghost workers in Machakos

Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti has revealed the number of people suspected to be ghost workers in Machakos.

Speaking in Nguluni, Wavinya said that 500 people did not show up for the recently concluded Human Resource audit that involved a head count of all staff.

“There are no exceptions and any employee who does not comply will be expunged from the payroll and disciplinary action commenced against them,” a letter addressed to all county employees in November notifying them of the headcount read in part.

She noted that this was the way to ensure that no more ghost workers in the county and peoples tax was utilised well not being misused.

“People came to be checked for their qualifications. 500 people never showed and I know that more will follow suit, all I ask from you is time, I will not victimize anyone or sack anyone,” said Wavinya.

“If someone as the right qualifications no one can do anything about it. You will never be sacked for having the right qualifications,there is a law but I will not condone corruption or injustices, you can take me where you want I will not allow it,” she added.

In October While commissioning the Human Resource Audit Taskforce, Governor Wavinya revealed some national government findings on the payroll including cases of double salaries, shared bank accounts, same payroll numbers, and different pins, under 18s on the payroll among other issues. Missed the story? check it out below;

Wavinya exposes damning Rot in Machakos county payroll

Governor Mutula Jnr gives an account of his first 100 Days in office

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Governor Mutula Jnr gives an account of his first 100 Days in office

Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr has outlined his successes in the first 100 days in office as the second Governor of Makueni County.

Addressing Makueni residents at Mukuyuni, Kaiti during Jamhuri Day celebrations, Governor Mutula noted that within his 100 days in office the Makueni County Executive Committee is now fully set up and ready to deliver to the people of Makueni. He affirmed that he reorganized the Makueni Executive so that he can enhance service delivery to the people by ensuring greater collaboration among his staff so that they can change Makueni positively.

Concerning his relationship with National Government Administration officers such as the County Commissioner and Chiefs, Mutula Jnr said that he established a cordial working relationship and this has ensured that they helped in distributing relief food worth more than 120 million to all wards and also distribution of seeds to the people before the onset of November rains.

“My government will collaborate with the National government under President William Ruto and other non-governmental organizations to ensure that the road network in Makueni is fixed, electricity reaches every household, food security is achieved, border dispute resolved, water access improved and ICT coverage improved,” Mutula Jnr affirmed.

On hosting Bill Gates the Makueni Boss stated, “I hosted Bill Gates, the richest man in the world, in a mission to build a groundwork for a further partnership in primary health care and agricultural extension services. On 8th December I signed a work plan with the World Food Programme to promote social protection and access to markets for our county produce.”

He also added that there is another project that has started – production of oil from castor oil seeds at Kwa Kathoka and also the Makueni County Government with USAID signed a Ksh. 1 billion joint work plan to initiate the growth of the local economy in 2022/2023 financial year.

“This will go a long way towards curbing malnutrition, strengthening community hygiene through engaging of community health volunteers, liberalization of Makueni development and resource center, strengthening integrated gender-based violence prevention, promoting the development of cottage industries and supporting manufacturing, innovations, cooperative societies and agricultural extension services,” The Governor noted.

He revealed that the County has partnered with Nutrition International which pledged to facilitate the supply of nutrition supplements to expectant and lactating mothers aimed at ensuring children don’t suffer from deficiency of critical nutrients which cause stunted growth.

On Agriculture, he announced that he discussed with the Italian government concerning the bumper harvest of mangoes expected from January 2023 to facilitate the installation of the second hot water plant at the Kalamba Mango processing plant and also provide for markets in Europe.

“We need to continue adding value to our mangoes by producing ready-to-drink juice and branding our products from Makueni, we are also collaborating with national cereals and produce boards for purposes of getting quality seeds and ready market for our maize, beans, cowpeas, and other products,” Mutula Jnr revealed.

He further alluded that his government will ensure innovative smart agriculture through value addition to avocados, mangos, macadamia, coffee, and green grams among others, and the use of farmers’ cooperatives to change the lives of the people of Makueni. He said that he is committed to ensuring that there is equality and equitable growth of the county economy and environment conservation.

“We will continue to be the benchmark county on devolution, we have received trophies as the best county in devolution, public participation, and administration; we also produced the best firefighting team in Kenya. The Government officials from Zimbabwe visited us on benchmarking tour on the agenda of devolution and public participation, and the department of trade, industry, and agriculture has been applauded for their impressive performance in Music Festivals in Kitui last week,” he added.

Mutula Junior also pointed out that the department of ICT, the Makueni Tech and Innovation Hub was awarded as the only county owning an ICT hub in Kenya and also to curb environment and climate change, the county has planted over 200,000 trees and urged all the residents to grow trees and join the movement of making Makueni Green.

“Establishment of Wote Municipality is now a reality, we are now forging to the establishment of Emali-Sultan Municipality and in water and sanity, we are in collaboration with USAID to ensure that the second largest dam after Thwake is established, I assure you such dams will be established in all sub-counties of Makueni in five years. World Bank through the Urban and Support Program has funded us to develop the first ultra-modern market in Mukuyuni under Wote municipality, I seek your support to make Mukuyuni a great industrial town,” the second Makueni Governor stated.

He called upon all the residents to ensure they use the public participation forums to air their issues to come up with projects they want to be done in our areas.

Machakos Water, Irrigation, and Climate Change CEC- Who is Catherine Mutanu Raphael?

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Machakos Water, Irrigation, and Climate Change CEC- Who is Catherine Mutanu Raphael?

Catherine Mutanu was born in Machakos in 1971 at Machakos Mjini. She went to the county council of Machakos nursery school and later Muslim Primary school and did CPE in 1983. She went to Mumbuni High school for 4 years and later to Makueni Girls for A levels.

Thereafter, she joined the university of Nairobi for a Bachelor of Education degree. Her first post was Kaluluni secondary and was transferred to Makutano secondary in Mwala.

In 2004, she trained with an NGO Community Based Development service and she started to train others as the curriculum had just been changed. In 2005, she resigned as a teacher to take the opportunity of a program manager at the NGO.

She was in charge of the Nairobi region then and also did campaigns on constitutional matters. In 2017, she became the National coordinator in charge of 4 regions; Nairobi, Western and Nyanza, Coast, and Upper Eastern.

Catherine interacted with donors and handled administrative, and advocacy matters. She returned to school in 2017 to do Masters in public policy and administration and graduated in 2019 December.

In 2021 she enrolled for Ph.D. in public policy and management from Kenyatta University.

On the water docket, she expressed interest to do a new master plan to see how the county can use new methods as the old are affected by climate change. Dams, weirs, and solar boreholes in areas where the dams cant do well. She suggested the distribution of tanks to maximize the harvesting of water

On climate change, Catherine promised to review Machakos climate change act of 2014 which has not been operationalized, and also secure donor funding for climate change. To qualify for donor funding she will have to constitute the county climate change board. With the board, the county treasury has to allocate 2 percent of the budget to climate change.

On the problem of Water pollution in Athiriver, Catherine vowed to work with other departments in the county and the national Government to end pollution.

Makueni Health Services CEC – Who is Dr. Paul Musila?

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Makueni Health Services CEC – Who is Dr. Paul Musila?

Dr. Paul Musila was born in 1975 in Masii, Machakos county. He attended Primary school in Kyaani, Muthetheni.

From there he joined Starehe Boys center and sat for KCPE in 1993. They relocated to Kibwezi, Thange ward in 1993.

After secondary school, he joined the University of Nairobi for a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery degree and graduated in 2001. He did a master’s in pediatrics and child health in 2011.

 He was posted as a pediatrician to Nyamira county and served as the only pediatrician and medical superintendent for 2 years. After that Musila was transferred to Kerugoya until October 2014.

He resigned in 2014 and joined private practice. He has been involved in community activities like Boards of Schools, Local Church Committees, and Welfare Associations.

During vetting, Musila said that he will first learn from stakeholders on the health system in the county, and ensure hospitals are equipped with drugs, other commodities, and adequate staff.

He promised to put in place a system for medics to access medical records for people being referred to Wote from other facilities in the county – HMIS (Health Management Information System) and ensure facilities have specialties.

On career progression, Musila vowed to work with the county public service board to ensure those whose promotions are due get promoted. He emphasized on the need for outreach programs and ensuring some services like cancer screening are decentralized.

On universal health care, he lauded his successor Andrew Mulwa and noted challenges like increased demand for the services which overstretched some facilities, and promised to resolve the challenges noted in the first phase as per the report that was released this year on the UHC.

The legacy he would like to leave behind, getting people to access medical services and universal healthcare in the county and reducing referrals to Kenyatta by being able to take care of most of the conditions.

Dr. Paul Musila is worth 42 Million.

MC Toto pens Sweet birthday message to his wife

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MC Toto pens Sweet birthday message to his wife

Radio Presenter and Award winning MC – MC Toto has celebrated his wife’s birthday in a sweet message.

Toto took to Facebook to shower the wife with praises and promised her the best anytime.

“Huyu ndiye jam-MHURI wangu. Today help me celebrate The love of my life, the mom of my kids, and my only daughter. Happy birthday Momma Annest Mwesh. MC Toto taking to Facebook said.

“As you turn a year wiser, on behalf of our kids happy birthday Mom. May you grow to be simply the best. You know we love you and I deeply love you. Anything and anytime for you forever. Happy birthday My JamuhuriBae Annest Mwesh.” He added.

Here are some of the reactions to the MCs message;

Artist Stella Mengele said, “God bless this beautiful family. Nzùvììye ngaos ìsu na ìkala ùmìvithìte kùù soshoo media ti kùseo .”

Rathia Ndanu said, “Happy birthday Bebgal let God bless you and your family mummie.”

Morena Regina said, “Happy birthday beautiful, wish you many more beautiful years of celebrations.”

Winnie Kay said, “Happy Birthday to her. May God bless your beautiful family.”

Agal Mutoto said, “Happiest birthday to your Queen….such a beautiful family… blessings!!!!

Last month, MC Toto won the MC of the year in the Eastern Talanta Awards. Here is a list of the other winners;

Full List Of 2022 Eastern Talanta Awards Winners

Wavinya doesn’t respond to phone calls during emergencies – Sikika Road Safety

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Wavinya doesn’t respond to phone calls during emergencies – Sikika Road Safety

Sikika road Safety has accused Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti of not responding to their calls during emergencies.

They claimed that the previous Governor Dr. Alfred Mutua responded well during emergencies such as accidents, unlike Wavinya.

This followed an accident in Masii Sunday that required the passengers injured to be evacuated by an ambulance.

“Hon Wavinya Ndeti this is the second time we are reaching out to you when there is an emergency in your county but you don’t pick up our calls‼️ we miss Dr. Alfred Mutua because he used to respond to us…there is a crash which has happened at Masii involving a Suzuki every psv, passengers are hurt and need ambulance response.” A post by Sikika Road Safety on Facebook read.

The post resulted in different reactions with some defending Wavinya that she is not the emergency contact while others claimed she should assist.

Here are some of the reactions;

Angio Wanga said,” hakuna kitu hapa.. If the governor is to respond such calls kila siku will she even do her work? Acheni kuguilt trip watu bana.”

Peter Karanja said, “That’s why she has CECs, department heads, and county staff….This should be at the emergency response desk not at the governor’s desk with all due respect to the wonderful job you are doing…”

David Wanjohi said, “So why should she pick ur calls? You should contact the Machakos emergency response team. So kazi ya Governor ni simu tu.”

Faith Mwams said, “How on earth do you call a governor for this? Is she working at the emergency response department call center? Aii….! If Alfred used to answer your calls then I’m sure he was on phone calls 24/7.”

Charity Wangai said, “Am amazed that people are talking about the protocol here. When she was asking for the votes, she would even come to your houses, deep in the villages even late at night. She would answer those calls even very late at night. But for now, mhesh is very busy to answer those calls or even attend to the people that elected her.
Come on guys.”

Aredi Van Okush said, “Kenyans always want ACCESSIBLE leaders until they see such posts then they now become protocol and hierarchy experts.”

Angela Mworia said,”In case of an emergency anyone can be called including the president if necessary to intervene. So stop saying they called the wrong people. Probably the right people were not doing anything. Good work Sikika. Hope wamesaidika and are being attended in the nearest hospital.”

Do you have emergency contacts In case of an incident? Let us know in the comment section below;

Machakos University announces reopening date

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Machakos University announces reopening date

2 days after Machakos University was indefinitely closed on 7th December after student unrest, the university has now given the reopening date.

The senate convened on Friday 9th December and resolved to open the institution on Tuesday 13th December 2022 from 8.00 am.

In a letter from the Vice-chancellor Prof. Lucy Irungu, all students are advised to report ready to write their exams as per the examination timetable.

“Further the students are advised to ensure that all exam requirements are met. Remember your personal security starts and ends with you.” The memo read in part.

“Maintenance of peace and security as well as to be vigilant in your respective areas of residence is to be taken as a personal responsibility. Exercise caution and live harmoniously with the surrounding communities.” The students were advised in the memo.

Students from the university on Monday 5th December held demonstrations after one of their colleagues died after sustaining head injuries when he was robbed in Kathemboni. A police officer was arrested for stealing from the students and a motorbike was recovered.

During the protests, another student was shot by a police officer who was also arrested. The student succumbed Wednesday Morning leading to fresh demonstrations and running battles that resulted in the closure of the university.

In the Wednesday demos, a prison officer who was stoned by the students also succumbed to injuries at Machakos Level 5 Hospital.

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