Members of the county assembly through their leadership have issued a raft of demands that they want anchored in the constitution through the BBI. In a media briefing after a consultative meeting at crown hotel in Nairobi through CAF Chairman Ndegwa Wahome, the forum intimated that during the development of the BBI report they tabled various memoranda to ensure that the concerns of the county assemblies are included.
However, after the launch, CAF on behalf of county assemblies established a taskforce to analyze and advise its members on the content of the report in an event that was scheduled to take place at Bomas of Kenya on Friday 13th November 2020.The meeting has since been postponed as it was not approved by the interior ministry and the strict Covid- 19 restrictions.
The MCAa s are adamant that even as they converge on a later date, they will canvass on issues that strengthen devolution.
They demanded that the BBI report should secures financial autonomy of county assemblies through the amendment of the public finance management act to establish a county assemblies fund, observing that this can be done through legislation in parliament.
Ward development fund the BBI report seeks to anchor this proposal into the constitution and cap it at 5%, however MCAs demand that this be raised to 30%, with its implementation done in a similar manner like NG- CDF but with modifications, that include a single manager of the WDF to avoid excessive administration costs, with MCAs being patrons to the fund.
Mca’s be treated in similar manner like members of the national assembly, the county assemblies’ legislators are of the opinion that the functions they do are similar in nature albeit at different levels, therefore as the BBI selection of ministers from members of parliament same should be cascaded to counties in all levels.
Increase privileges like car grants, be given pension, terms of service for state officers at the national level also be cascaded at the counties, with similar terms but with variants depending on the areas of coverage. Make senate upper house and let it have veto powers to oversight the counties.
On elections; “we note that the BBI report proposes deletion of Article 99[2] which bars MCAs from being elected as members of parliament, this clause is very discriminatory’’ Apparently MCAs demand that all Kenyans including them be allowed to contest for any political seat.
Education;
According to requirements of section 22[1] b][ii] of the elections Act as revised in 2016 which requires mcas to have a degree from a recognized university,
The MCAs note that the demand will make political position a preserve of the elite disenfranchising many good leaders in the country.
They propose that the article be deleted and allow the sovereignty of the people to prevail.
Through their chairperson CAF they will seek redress from handshake partner’s president Uhuru and Raila Odinga.
The chairman CAF said they are devoid of any political affiliations and would seek to push county assembly needs in a united front.
