Tension flared at the Tharaka Nithi County Assembly on Thursday after Budget Committee Chair Murithi Gaturo stunned both legislators and the public by withdrawing the 2025/2026 county budget appropriation bill immediately after presenting it. The dramatic decision, made just before the House was set to debate and vote, triggered protests from a group of Members of County Assembly (MCAs) who argued that the budget was flawed, inequitable, and lacked transparency.
The MCAs, chanting No Retreat, No Surrender, marched to the Governor’s office in protest, emphasizing the need for fairness and accountability in resource allocation. Nominated MCA Nevert Kinuthia questioned the rationale behind presenting the full appropriation only to withdraw it unexpectedly, raising concerns over intimidation of dissenting members. Fellow legislators Jacob Kiriko and Njeru Ing’ara added that the proposed allocations failed to meet the actual needs of residents across various wards, warning that any budget that disregards equity would be blocked. Majority Leader Luke Marengo echoed the call, stressing that no county budget should pass without addressing fairness.
Residents who attended the session voiced shock and demanded accountability, highlighting growing public impatience with perceived inequities in governance. The standoff signals a deeper debate over transparent and inclusive budgeting processes in Tharaka Nithi County. As negotiations between the Assembly and Governor Muthomi Njuki’s office continue, MCAs insist that the final budget must reflect the needs of all communities to ensure public trust and sustainable development.