The county government of Nakuru has boosted wards development through additional 20 million shillings to each of the 55 wards.
This was revealed on Thursday as residents of various wards in Nakuru County held public participation courtesy of the County Government where residents had opportunity to air their last voice on the various projects before approval.
In Biashara ward, Nakuru East sub county residents gathered at the Old Town Hall in Nakuru town where they discussed various issues on projects before approving the same.
Addressing media after the forum, the residents led by Simon Ole Nasieku-the chair Nakuru Hawkers association said they were optimistic that the approved projects will be implemented by the area MCA Peter Njoroge.
He added that they are impressed as hawkers since the issues they had raised since they were evicted from Nakuru’s CBD have been addressed through the projects and budgetary allocation.
The county will also facilitate the development of Nakuru’s main Market to enable a good environment for business.
The Biashara Ward residents however raised concerns on the uncompleted projects in the previous financial years.
They called on the county government to ensure that funds are borrowed to complete the same so that they cannot affect the current projects budgeted for.
“We have a lot of challenges that we have faced before and we raised the same and has been addressed.However we are worried about the uncompleted previous projects and we call on government to look on how they can be completed so that they don’t affect the ones for the current financial year” said Nasieku.
Similar sentiments echoed by Esther Mungai who said there was need for residents to take Public participation forums serious.
She said if public can attend such forums then there will be no blame game on elected leaders whenever projects are not implemented.
“Some of the residents still don’t understand the impact of public participation. I therefore appeal to all residents that let us ensure we come for such forums as they carry a lot as far as projects are concerned” she said.
Elsewhere in Kivumbini Ward, issues surrounding projects on drainage, roads, and housing took centre stage during the Public participation Forum held at the Kivumbini Social Hall.
The locals however commended the county government of Nakuru for boosting the budgetary allocation.
In Kivumbini the county Headquarters budget will boost Roads allocation by additional 15 million, 10 million for re roofing of the county houses and 6 million for the maintenance of the Alms house that accommodates the elderly.
Nakuru East Sub county administrator Michael Wathika stated that this was in line with the county government which is committed to boosting development at grassroots.
Addressing media, the sub county admin revealed that all the wards in Nakuru County will receive an additional 20 million shillings from the county headquarters budget.
“All wards will receive 20 million shillings additional from the county treasury towards development” he said.
He added that the county government has received 9 billion shillings from the National government while close to 6 billion shillings is from within Nakuru county levies.
Similar sentiments echoed by Nakuru County Bursary Committee Chairperson Charles Maisiba who said the Big 4 agenda must also be realized on the ground.
“The allocation is meant to boost development at ward level in order to realize the Big 4 agenda” said Maisiba.
Francis Shinali from Nakuru Town East Neighborhood Association commended the county government for boosting the Ward allocation by additional 20 million shillings.
PHOTO/Kenya News:Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui.