Members of the Kiambu County Assembly have increased pressure on Governor Kimani wa Matangi’s administration to prioritize road infrastructure, healthcare services, and staffing as the county begins reviewing its latest budget estimates.
During a special assembly session where the budget and supplementary estimates were presented, several MCAs expressed dissatisfaction over stalled infrastructure projects, deteriorating road conditions, and medicine shortages in public hospitals, while others defended the county government’s development achievements.
Murera Ward MCA Moses Ngatha stated that the assembly had fulfilled its constitutional duty by commencing the budget scrutiny and approval process, but cautioned that residents were growing discontented with the condition of roads and healthcare services.
Ngatha specifically criticized the Roads Department, noting that numerous roads across Kiambu County had deteriorated significantly and required immediate attention.
“The governor must reorganize the roads department because many wards have suffered due to poor road conditions. The people of Kiambu deserve better services,” he said.
The MCA also raised concerns about delayed health projects in Murera Ward, particularly the unfinished Mugutha Dispensary project, which he claimed had appeared in multiple budgets without completion.
“This is the third consecutive budget where the Mugutha hospital project remains without completion. Residents have not benefited. We need a Level Three hospital in Murera,” he stated.
Ngatha further demanded increased funding for medicine procurement, emphasizing that drug shortages in county hospitals continued to impact residents.
Karuri Ward MCA Peter Wainaina affirmed that the assembly would thoroughly examine the estimates before approval, noting that legislators had the authority to make amendments aimed at enhancing service delivery.
He commended the Departments of Education and Trade for what he described as impressive performance, highlighting advancements in Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centers, boda boda sheds, and health infrastructure.
However, Wainaina acknowledged that road infrastructure remained one of the county’s weakest areas, attributing the problem partly to delayed disbursement of funds from the national government through the Kenya Roads Board.
According to the MCA, Kiambu County missed out on over KSh1 billion allocated for road maintenance during the past three financial years.
“In 2022/2023, 2023/2024, and 2024/2025, the county was promised substantial amounts for road maintenance, but most of those funds never arrived. This year, only KSh119 million of the allocated KSh475 million has been released,” he said.
Wainaina revealed that the county leadership had agreed to reallocate funds from other departments via a supplementary budget to rehabilitate five to six kilometers of roads in each ward.
Kikuyu Ward MCA James Kamau also criticized the county executive over deteriorating roads and inadequately equipped hospitals, stating that residents demanded tangible results rather than promises.
“We have attractive hospital buildings, but what residents need are hospitals with medicine, equipment, and staff,” he said.
Kamau noted that the assembly had already allocated sufficient funds for employing medical personnel, purchasing reagents, and procuring medicine, and challenged the executive to ensure proper utilization of these funds.
He added that poor road conditions were increasing transportation costs and agricultural production expenses, especially following heavy rains.
“The people of Kiambu deserve proper roads. Farmers, transport operators, and ordinary citizens are suffering because of the deplorable road conditions,” he said.
Kamau accused the county government of neglecting road construction despite repeated assembly allocations, pointing out that the county had failed to meet its targets under the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP).
“We committed to tarmacking 75 kilometers of roads by the end of our term, but we have completed zero through county funding. Most tarmacking has been done through donor-funded programs,” he said.
Meanwhile, Kahawa Sukari MCA and Public Accounts Committee Chairperson Kennedy Odhiambo defended the county government’s record, arguing that much of the criticism overlooked the progress already made in infrastructure development.
Odhiambo stated that Governor Kimani wa Matangi’s administration had invested heavily in ECDE centers, hospitals, and other public infrastructure over the past three years.
“More than 500 ECDE centers have been constructed, and nearly every sub-county now has a Level Four hospital while wards have Level Two and Level Three facilities,” he said.
He explained that the county had intentionally prioritized infrastructure construction before staffing and equipping the facilities.
“You cannot place medicine where there is no hospital. The focus during the last three years was infrastructure. This budget will emphasize medicine, doctors, and teachers,” Odhiambo stated.
The MCA revealed that the county had allocated approximately KSh1.5 billion for roads in the new budget and promised that road rehabilitation efforts would intensify across the county.
He also defended the county leadership against accusations of extravagance, noting that MCAs and the executive had implemented austerity measures to direct more resources into development projects.
“We have practiced financial restraint so that people can receive hospitals and roads. Even today we are conducting meetings in tents at the assembly,” he said.
Kahawa Wendani MCA Brian Sinne Simiyu also expressed optimism about projects in his ward, mentioning that several road, education, and lighting initiatives had already commenced.
Simiyu disclosed that the county had allocated KSh25 million for purchasing land for a new health facility in Kahawa Wendani after years of delays caused by land ownership disputes.
“I was the first MCA to be allocated a hospital in Kiambu County, but land issues obstructed the project. Now we finally have funding for land acquisition,” he said.
The MCA assured residents that significant improvements would be implemented before the end of the year, including road upgrades, solar lighting, and completion of ECDE projects.
Despite differing opinions on the county’s performance, the MCAs appeared united on one point: roads and healthcare would dominate public expectations as the budget process advances to the next stage.
The budget estimates will undergo scrutiny and debate before final approval by the County Assembly.