Kisii MCA flags ‘personalization’ of county projects by Governor Arati

A Kisii Member of County Assembly has criticised the branding of publicly funded county programmes and projects with the name “Etaya”, arguing that taxpayer-funded initiatives should not be personalised for political purposes.

Bouse Mairura, the Masimba Ward MCA, said he supports programmes aimed at improving the lives of Kisii residents but insisted that projects funded through the county budget should be identified as initiatives of the Kisii County Government and, ultimately, the people.

Mairura singled out the ongoing Kisii County Tournament, popularly branded the “Etaya Tournament”, saying the event is funded through the county budget.

“We welcome the tournament and its objective of nurturing sporting talent, promoting youth participation and creating opportunities for our young people. However, the tournament is a Kisii County Government programme funded through public resources,” Mairura said in a statement copied to journalists late Sunday.

He noted that Sh50 million had been allocated to the county sports department in the current financial year, arguing that funds appropriated through the county budget process belonged to residents and should therefore be used and presented in the public interest.

Mairura also questioned the branding of high-mast lighting projects across the county as “Etaya”.

He said the lighting projects were funded through the Financially Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) programme and should be presented as public infrastructure rather than being associated with an individual politician.

The MCA extended his concerns to the county milk programme, which he said was also being associated with the “Etaya” name.

“Milk purchased through county resources is purchased with public money. It is a programme of the people of Kisii County and should be communicated as such,” he said.

Mairura said his objection was not intended to deny Governor Simba Arati credit for development initiatives, but rather to maintain a clear distinction between government programmes and political activities.

“This is not about denying anyone credit for leadership. It is about maintaining the important distinction between government and politics, public resources and personal resources, and public programmes and political campaigns,” he said.

The MCA invoked Articles 73 and 201 of the Constitution, which set out principles of integrity in public office and openness, accountability and responsible management of public finances.

He further called for oversight and accountability institutions to scrutinise the use and branding of publicly funded projects.

“The Governor is the head of the County Government, but the County Government is not his personal property,” Mairura said.

He maintained that county sports funds, FLLoCA-funded infrastructure, the milk programme and other publicly financed projects belonged to the people of Kisii County.

“Public projects should never be personalised. They should be credited to the institution that legally owns and implements them—the Kisii County Government and, ultimately, the people of Kisii County,” he said.

Mairura, who has declared interest in the Nyaribari Masaba parliamentary seat in the 2027 General Election, said the principle should apply to every political leader, including himself.

“Let us support development. Let us support our young people. Let us celebrate progress. But let us also defend accountability,” he said.

His statement was copied to the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, World Bank Kenya and the World Bank Group.

“Kisii County is bigger than Etaya. Public money belongs to Mwananchi. Public projects belong to Mwananchi. And public institutions must remain public,” Mairura said.