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Sakaja, MCAs clash over implementation of Ward Development Fund projects

Last week, the MCAs accused Sakaja of neglecting WDF, not paying contractors and suppliers, and resorting to violence against them

A rift has emerged between a section of Nairobi Members of County Assembly (MCAs) and Governor Johnson Sakaja over implementation of projects in the city’s 85 wards.

While Sakaja has dismissed claims that Ward Development Fund (WDF) projects in the various wards have stalled due to non-remittance of funds to contractors by the county,  the MCAs have maintained that they received have only received funding only since Sakaja took office more than two years ago.

Last week, the MCAs accused Sakaja of neglecting WDF, not paying contractors and suppliers, and resorting to violence against them.

On his part, the governor, when reached for comment, said there are many projects ongoing in the wards.

He singled out Kitisuru MCA Alvin Olando, who recently claimed that the governor sent goons to attack him for speaking out on his failures, saying there are many projects in his ward that the county government has completed.

“He is crying that there is no Ward Development Fund (WDF) support…Can he talk about the almost Ksh 40 million that’s been used in his ward by this administration in comparison to the previous (one)?,” Sakaja posed.

“He has a kitchen in his ward. The issue of scholarships is it an Executive issue or a COB (Controller of Budget) issue?…you’ve seen what the national government has done about bursaries,” he added.

However, in an interview with the Informer Media Group, the Kitusuru legislator pointed that the issue of WDF does not apply to him alone but all the 85 elected MCAs.

Olando said that they have only received payments for the projects in their wards once with contractors having to stop some projects over the payment delays by the county.

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He said only the contractor who constructed the Mwimuto footbridge in his ward has been paid, adding that this happened during the 2022/2023 Financial Year.

The MCA accused Sakaja of only prioritising pending bills due to lawyers while neglecting development.

“If you look at WDF, people are working but not getting their payment. The governor is only focused on paying lawyers. We had previously stated that the county should employ its lawyers. This thing of lawyers being hired leftc right and centre is the source of embezzlement in this country,” Olando stated.

Kangemi MCA Hamisi Maleya said they will not relent or fear oversighting leaders, adding that they will continue doing what they were elected to do.

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