In a historic first, major local authorities led by the Nairobi City Council read their annual budgets to the Kenyan public on Thursday 28th June 2007. In a major departure from the past, various chairmen of the local authorities finance committees read out planned budgetary activities for the financial year 2007-08. Other towns that did the same included Nakuru, Kisumu, Naivasha and Mombasa. In Nairobi, Councillor Mutunga Mutungi of Mbotela ward (Makadara Constituency) read out the largest of the budgets, set at over 8.3 Billion shillings.
This is a first step in the journey to transparency which Kenyans have been yearning for. It's now up to the voters to scrutinise how these funds will be spent, while ensuring they elect local representatives who are keen in using these funds for the benefit of the voters. I welcome your comments and insights on this historic occurence in our local authorities.
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CORRECTIONS - 3rd August 2007.
1. I've recently learnt that the Kisumu Municipal Council did not after all, present its inaugural budget reading on the 28/06/07.
2. The Nairobi City Council actually approved a budget of Sh6.083 billion against an expenditure of Sh6.081 billion, and not Ksh 8.3 billion as earlier indicated.
I apologise for these errors.
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Good on you Councillor,
ReplyDeleteVery encouraging to see that you have embraced ICT. Promote among your colleagues, particularly in Nakuru.
Kind regards,
Stefan Carlstrom
Nakuru Business Association
Did i hear that LATF is now taxed? Why?
ReplyDeleteKaribu Stefan,
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting the blog. In an ICT driven 21st century, it's important for our leaders to embrace available technology in order to interact quickly and openly with their employers - the voters. Just a brief request Stefan, are you able to shed some light on this story here -
http://www.timesnews.co.ke/24oct05/nwsstory/opinion2.html
---and the current state of affairs at the Nakuru Municipal council? Thank you.
Nairobi resident, welcome to my blog. To answer your queries...am currently working on a post that will address the recent budget readings and how this affects the LATF.
Keep visiting and kindly share your concerns with your friends and neighbours. An informed electorate will be in a better position to elect a more responsive and accountable city hall leadership in this year's elections.
To Nairobi resident.
ReplyDeleteI apologise for not getting back to you earlier on the question of the LATF taxation. I've been making enquiries on this issue and I've not received any useful info on the same.
The recent City Council budget reading talked about 20 per cent of the LATF being allocated to poverty reduction programmes.
I've also checked the June 14, 2007 Kimunya GK budget and I did not see any taxation proposals on LATF.
Kindly enlighten us if you get the relevant details.
i like your effort councilor, thank you. their is a tree along Mwingi Road. precisely 50m into the road (you dont make the right turn) its on your right hand side opposite Mwingi court and before the gate. its very large could be almost a century old. with the fast encroachment of flats in this area i believe this tree is about to go since its located in one of the railway houses. i would like to enquire if you could gazette this tree or give me pointers on how I can make sure its not cut down even in the future. this tree serves the residents well and passersby , it would be a shame to loose it. i know this may be a small step but a small step is what leads to a stride. u can reach me at my email makkkilz@yahoo.com I have tried to reach the media but they are not interested. Im asking of you to please assist.
ReplyDelete