Yatta Kwa Vonza Member of County Assembly, Mark Nding’o, has defended the constitutional budget-making process in the Kitui County Assembly, saying the Speaker has no legal mandate to return the county budget once it is tabled by the executive.
Speaking on the ongoing budget discussions, the MCA said the County Government Act clearly outlines the procedures that must be followed once the executive submits the budget estimates to the assembly.
“The standard procedure of the budget is well stipulated by the County Government Act. Once the budget is brought by the executive, the duty of the Speaker is to commit it to the Budget Committee. The committee then peruses the budget and presents it to the assembly for debate,” said Nding’o.
He explained that after deliberations, the assembly has the constitutional authority to either pass the budget with amendments or return it for further consideration.
“The assembly can either pass it with amendments or return it. The governor can then return it with a memorandum. The Speaker has no mandate to return the budget,” he stated.
The MCA emphasized that the Speaker’s role remains administrative and procedural, mainly to guide debate and ensure compliance with the Constitution and standing orders during the budget process.
“He is the administrative and procedural head of the assembly and can only guide debate and ensure compliance with the Constitution and standing orders during the entire budget process,” he added.
Nding’o further urged leaders to prioritize development and service delivery to residents, arguing that delaying the passage of the budget would affect critical projects across the county.
“The Speaker should allow the budget to be passed for service delivery to the people of Kitui. Our people need money for roads and not ward offices,” he said.
His remarks come amid heightened debate over the handling of the county budget within the Kitui County Assembly.
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