Source: The Star
The budget committee of the National Assembly has sought the opinion of the National Treasury on the creation of a Sh3.4 billion fund for women MPs.
During a meeting yesterday between the committee and women elected to represent the 47 counties, the chairman of the committee Mutava Musyimi said his team will support the creation of the fund.
Musyimi said the law requires the committee to seek the opinion of both the National Treasury and the budget office of Parliament before deciding on whether to approve the Affirmative Action Social Development Fund Bill.
The proposed law seeks to create a special fund that will be 0.5 per cent of the national budget.
Musyimi undertook to have the decision on whether the fund will be created before the process of formulating the 2014-15 budget is completed.
If the proposal to create the fund is approved, the women representatives will have a special kitty by the beginning of the next financial year in July.
Musyimi, who is Mbeere South MP, cautioned the women that the creation of the fund could be the beginning of their rejection by the electorate.
He said the rejection of MPs during elections went higher after the creation of the Constituency Development Fund.
During the meeting, the women MPs said they want a special fund to cater for marginalised groups such as women, youth and orphans in counties.
They said the fund will complement existing funds such as CDF.
"If we don't have something to work with on the ground, the people will not see the relevance of these seats," said Cecilia Ng'etich, who represents Bomet county.
According to the bill, the fund will be for inception of gender-sensitive enterprises in counties, nurture talent among youth and protect children against vulnerability and marginalisation.
The women MPs have proposed to use the fund for affirmative action against illiteracy and establishment of rehabilitation and counseling centres for control of drugs abuse.
MORE MONEY: Women MPs Led by Tia Galgalo and Wanjiku Muhia of Nyandarua county when a section of women rep walked out over the bill that was supposed to allocate them fund to use in their counties on Feb 27 2014.Photo\Charles Kimani -