Nairobi assembly clerk moves to calm MCAs over delay of funds

As the Nairobi county assembly prepares to resume sittings next week, Assembly Clerk Edward Gichana has reassured MCAs that their welfare remains a top priority for the administration.

He spoke amid concerns over delayed release of ward funds and committee meetings per diems.

Gichana attributed the challenges to late disbursement of funds from the Exchequer into the County Revenue Fund, noting that the issue goes beyond Nairobi.

“This is not a Nairobi-specific problem; it is a national challenge,” Gichana said.

He urged MCAs to remain calm as the assembly puts in efforts to stabilise payments.

The clerk said that county assemblies still lack full financial autonomy as funds are released through county finance departments.

Despite these constraints, Gichana said Nairobi County has made notable progress.

“For Nairobi county, we are doing much better. We have already paid about 70 per cent of members’ entitlements, and we are actively working on clearing the balance. These include members per diems, imprests among other previlges,” he said.

Gichana said some of the pending payments have been captured in the Supplementary Budget, which the Assembly is set to consider and pass.

On matters of accountability and governance, the Assembly CEO maintained that the institution’s operations are fully compliant with the law.

“Everything is above board,” Gichana said, emphasising that the administration has aligned itself with legal and financial regulations in the discharge of its duties.

He said the assembly has put in place robust systems to ensure transparency and accountability, particularly in financial management.

“We have established clear financial paper trails where every expenditure is accounted for from members’ loans and mortgage facilities, which have been of great benefit, to other operational expenses,” Gichana said.

The assurances come as the Assembly prepares to resume legislative business, with leadership expressing confidence that outstanding welfare issues will be resolved to allow MCAs to focus on serving Nairobi residents effectively.