Drama as Wajir MCAs fight over illegal allocations in the 2024/25 budget

By Antynet Ford

Drama was today witnessed at the Wajir County Assembly after an argument arose over the proposed 2024/25 financial year budget.

The Members of County Assembly physically fought the sergeant at Arms in an attempt to grab the mace.

Reports indicate that the MCAs were opposed to some allocations made in the budget for the financial year which started early this month.

Sources preview to the details told the corporate watch that money was allocated for the county First Lady’s office and residences for the governor, deputy governor, and speaker.

A viral video on social media seen by the corporate watch showed the speaker walking into the chamber alongside the sergeant at arms shortly before the incident happened.

Wajir MCAs who were already in the chambers, began singing revolutionary songs before pouncing on the sergeant-at-arms who was carrying the mace.

In the midst of the fight, the sergeant-at-arms held onto the mace while the MCAs tried to pull it away from him.

However, the speaker was whisked out of the chambers, and the sergeant-at-arms managed to protect the mace.

The sergeant-at-arms overpowered the MCAs and managed to remove the mace from the chambers, safe from the Wajir MCAs.

The fight led to the dismantling and destruction of the assembly chambers, with tables and chairs being destroyed.

The ward reps remained within the chambers even after the sergeant-at-arms left with the mace.

Some of the County Assembly clerks were seen picking up scattered pieces of paper, while other MCAs were trying to calm their colleagues down.

Speaking after the incident, Wagala Ganyure MCA Ibrahim Hussein said the County Assembly is not a replica of the National Assembly.

He stated that the Assembly is independent and will not be controlled or intimidated by the governor.

“This house is not like the National Assembly; this house is independent, and we are going to advocate for the rights of the people of Wajir. We can’t be misused, given instructions, and intimidated by the executive.” The legislator said.

He explained that the budget must be reasonable and in line with the needs of the people of Wajir.

“We want the budget of Wajir County to be very rational; we want it to reflect the needs of the people.” He added.

He warned that they will not pass the budget without serious scrutiny to establish its contents.

Wajir county executive has been accused of being corrupt, stating that there was a lot of wastage and impunity in using public funds.