The economics of a school bus and the politics of CDF money

By Mw Kioko

A school bus costs about 10m and it is not made in the constituency. It is occasionally used to transport students which triggers a question on the wisdom of investing such amount of money instead of hiring when the need arises.

Additionally, it brings with it annual cost  (about 400k) to the school budget in hiring a driver who will be mostly idle, insurance cover, annual assessment fee, service and repairs etc.

This means that the CDF money which is supposed to stimulate local economy is imprudently allocated.

It's a wasted opportunity for impacting on the welfare of the people.

Though the "beneficiaries" will be singing praise to their MP, little do they know or even acknowledge that its doesn't benefit to acquire a bus.

Wouldn't it be economically sound to allocate such money to labour intensive projects across several schools? For example in putting up a school library which is at the heart of the school's primary existence. 

The way our leaders are doing things is economically imprudent and you wonder why the people are struggling economically.

Granted, work is being done but to be seen rather than to be felt. Poor policies are depriving the economy opportunities to develop since that's what is happening across the country.

The principle of maximum social benefit is not being applied but instead government money is being used to benefit cronies of our leaders as well as to hoodwink the people.