Kitui County is once again embroiled in a heated debate following the County Assembly’s advertisement for the construction of an official residence for Speaker Hon. Kelvin Kinengo. The move has sparked controversy, with many questioning the necessity of the project, particularly given Kinengo’s strained relationship with the county executive.
Critics argue that if the county’s executive head does not have an official residence, it is unjustified for the County Assembly Speaker to be accorded one. The decision has led to increased speculation over the Assembly’s motives, with accusations that the project could be yet another avenue for financial misappropriation.
This comes against the backdrop of last year’s budget stalemate, where the County Assembly pushed for full funding of the Assembly block in the financial year’s budget—a move strongly opposed by Governor Julius Malombe, as reported by Channel 15 News. The tensions over budget allocations have not subsided, and now, the proposed residence project has further fueled public outrage.
Residents and activists are threatening legal action to halt the project, citing misallocation of resources amid pressing development needs. Concerns have also been raised over whether due diligence was followed in the tendering process after the County Assembly gazetted the bid.
In Kenya, counties such as Bungoma and Kisumu, have in the past undertaken such projects . The County Governments Act grants the County Assembly Service Board the power to provide facilities for the effective operation of the Assembly, which could include an official residence for the Speaker but is not clear on whether it’s an necessary need for the Assembly boss.
However, with the already fragile relationship between the County Assembly of Kitui and the Kitui County Executive, this latest move may deepen the rift and set the stage for a prolonged political and legal battle. The residents of Kitui now await clarity on whether the project will proceed or face legal hurdles in court.
