MPs to block Uhuru bill

Parliament will not approve the finance appropriation bill until money set aside in the 2009-2010 budget to establish model schools in every constituency is channeled though the constituencies.

East African Cooperation assistant minister Peter Munya said finance minister Uhuru Kenyatta promised parliament that the money would be given to constituencies to undertake the project and tenders have been advertised at national level for the same projects.

The tenders which have been advertised by the treasury and the prime minister's office, he said were illegal urging the finance minister to stick to his budget proposals.

Speaking in his Tigania East constituency, the legislator said parliament will shoot down the finance appropriation bill when it reconvenes if the money is not given to constituencies.

In his budget speech Uhuru set aside 30 million shillings to establish model secondary schools, 3.5 million shillings for two model primary schools and another 20 million shillings for model pediatric clinics in every constituency.

The finance minister said the money would be given to constituencies to undertake the projects.

Munya said constituencies were better placed to decide which schools to upgrade at the same time source for competent local contractors to undertake the projects.

"How can you bring a contractor from Nairobi to come and build a classroom here yet the contractor does not even understand the needs of this place?" He asked.

He alleged that the two offices decided to advertise the tenders so as to benefit from the money allocated.

"We know money is going to change hands that is why they want contractors from Nairobi," he said.