Interns demonstrating. Marsabit interns will receive their stipends starting Monday 23. Photo: Standard Digital.
Marsabit interns see a greenlight, after the county government announced payment of their accumulated renumerations starting Monday next week.
According to Marsabit County Government Spokesperson Abdub Barille, bot interns who finished their programs and current interns will receive their stipends after months of delay.
Barille said that the delay was orchestrated by the County Assembly Committee on Budget, who placed the salaries meant for interns to development funds, which was rejected by the Controller of Budget, who stated that they funds meant development cannot be used to pay salaries.
He however confirmed that the stalemate has been solved, after revision and the County Assembly has approved the disbursement of the funds.
“Interns funds disbursement was caused on the changes effected by the County Assembly, who allocated the funds on the developments that is not recurrent, which the Controller of Budget rejected, stating that the funds allocated development cannot pay salaries. But I’m reliably informed that the issue has been solved and payments approved by the County Assembly, so they will receive their stipends this coming week,” Barille confirmed.
He expressed the County’s commitment to upholding and respecting the rights of interns, by ensuring they receive their stipends on time without delay as agreed on the contract.
“All these interns including those who had already finished their programs will receive their stipends. Nothing to worry about, following the disbursement has already been approved,” he further reinforced.
He urged collaborations between the County Assembly and other stakeholders, to avoid the delay witnessed, which could jeopardize the image of the county.
Earlier a similar case was witnessed, affecting education not only in Marsabit but across the country, after the Controller of Budget had blocked county governors from handling bursaries, which crippled education for vulnerable children depending on the county governments sponsorship, to access education.
