Arise Media 
Residents of Embu have waded into the debate that has placed the county among other counties that spent nothing on the development.
The controller of the budget reported that 10 governors including Cecily Mbarire of Embu failed to spend on growth programs during the first quarter of 2023/24.
Residents accused the county leadership of failing to prioritize development projects in the quarter starting July to September 2023.
“It is sad that the county government failed to efficiently allocate and utilize funds earmarked for development initiatives. This is potentially hindering progress and growth in this region,” said John Gitonga, a boda boda rider in the county.
Gitonga noted that many county roads among other projects were in bad shape, questioning the need to have the money unused.
“Rather than remaining in the banks, the money should have been used to redo the Embu Level 5 hospital to Kibugu road which is in a mess,” added Mary Njeri, a business lady.
Njeri urged the governor to ensure that development money is used to the last coin in the oncoming quarters.
Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji urged the county Government to play its part in initiating projects that will benefit residents.
Mukunji said as the Chair of Development at the National Assembly, he would continue to lobby for more projects in Manyatta and Embu County at large.
“I saw the controller of budgets report and also read Governor Mbarire’s statement confirming that for the last six months, the county has not done any development project,” he said.
The MP noted that he lobbied for national government projects that have taken shape in the county including the renovation of Moi Stadium.
“The county government has its work and I have mine. I am the patron of the national projects in Manyatta Constituency. I lobbied for the ongoing projects and I will continue doing the same for the benefit of my people,” he added.
Mukunji cautioned leaders against politicking at the expense of service delivery, saying the campaign periods were over.
Through her social media handles, governor Mbarire said they started the processes late, something that plunged the county into the mess.
“In the case of Embu, we passed our budget towards the end of July. By the time procurement plans were done, uploaded into IFMIS and the actual procurement process started the quarter was over,” she said.
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