Murang’a Residents Urge Focus on Agriculture in Budget Priorities – The East Observer

Summary:

• Murang’a residents call for prioritizing agriculture in the upcoming fiscal year, emphasizing education, water, and lowered business license costs. MP Mugo pushes for debt waivers for farmers and increased funding for key crops. Bursaries are increased for students, with an electronic disbursement system introduced.

Murang’a residents are advocating for a heightened focus on the agricultural sector in the upcoming 2024–2025 financial year. Expressing their sentiments at Kiriaini Secondary School in Mathioya during a public forum led by members of the parliamentary budget committee, they emphasized the need for increased funding towards agriculture, considering its pivotal role in their livelihoods.

Among their priorities, residents highlighted education, water, roads, and health. Mary Thuku, one resident, emphasized the importance of timely disbursement of funds for tea and coffee production, alongside provisions for electricity and water for irrigation, citing the current high cost of water.

Thuku also stressed the significance of higher education, urging the government to continue allocating loans for needy students in universities and colleges. Gerald Maiyuru echoed concerns about business licenses, urging county governments to lower associated costs to facilitate entrepreneurship, particularly among the youth.

MP Edwin Mugo reinforced these sentiments, urging the government to expedite the waiver of debts owed by tea factories and coffee cooperatives to ensure farmers benefit from their produce. He emphasized the residents’ call for increased investment in key agricultural sectors like coffee, tea, macadamia, avocados, and milk.

Mugo also highlighted the importance of completing stalled projects, including roads like the Maumau and Kanjama – Chui roads, which were initiated in previous administrations. Kiambaa MP John Njuguna disclosed a Sh50 million allocation per constituency for electrification to enhance access to electricity.

Meanwhile, MP Mugo distributed bursaries totaling over Sh. 63.7 million to students in secondary and tertiary institutions, aiming to support needy students and promote education equity. He emphasized the removal of discriminatory practices, ensuring all students have equal opportunities regardless of academic performance.

Increasing the bursary amounts for boarding secondary and tertiary students, Mugo introduced an electronic disbursement system directly to schools, easing financial burdens for many families. Beneficiaries expressed gratitude, acknowledging the relief provided during challenging economic times.

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