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Hillary Mageka @hillarymageka

Senators have criticised Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya over what they termed as skewed allocation of Sh1.6 billion grant from World Bank to help farmers to stay afloat during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The lawmakers want Munya to expound on the criteria he used in determining that the funds be allocated to the “favoured” counties of Murang’a, Kiambu, Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Machakos, Kirinyaga and Nyeri at the exclusion of other coffee growing counties.

Led by Bungoma Senator Moses Wetang’ula, the legislators want the CS to specify the rationale for excluding other counties in the first allocation, and indicate when the other coffee-growing counties such as Bungoma, Kakamega, Vihiga, Kisii, Nyamira, and Trans Nzoia will receive the funds.

Shed light

“The CS should state the extent to which county governments have been involved in the process given that agriculture is one of the devolved functions,” said Wetang’ula as he sought a statement from the Senate  Committee on Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, regarding the World Bank funds to improve the production of specialty coffee in the country.

Kericho Senator Aaron Cheruiyot cautioned his colleagues that if they don’t check the operations of the National Treasury through mitigation projects, all funds such as the conditional grants and loans that do not bypass the checks and balances of Parliament will end up fostering marginalisation.

Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala said it is sad that Sh1.6 billion was given to the Government of Kenya and allocated to few regions yet the country consists of eight regions.

Kisii Senator Sam Ongeri lamented that funds had only being distributed to “favourite” counties.

Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka had directed Munya to appear before the Committee on Agriculture to shed light on the allocation with the committee expected to give its report today.