Bill seeking to secure chiefs' jobs before House

Chiefs in Bomet County hold peaceful protests on November 8, 2012. A Bill seeking to secure the jobs of chiefs and their assistants after the General Election has been brought to Parliament December 5, 2012 CORRESPONDENT

A Bill seeking to secure the jobs of chiefs and their assistants after the General Election has been brought to Parliament.

The National Government Coordination Bill, 2012 that also aims at protecting other existing provincial administration offices is now set for debate after it was introduced in the House for its First Reading Wednesday afternoon.

It would have been fast-tracked had a proposal to reduce its publication been reduced to five days from the provided 14. The Leader of Government of Business was not in the House to initiate the proposal and it was dropped.

The proposed law allows the Public Service Commission to appoint county commissioners, sub-county commissioners, ward coordinators, the chiefs and assistant chiefs. The PSC will consult with the Cabinet Secretary in charge of coordination of national government functions while making such appointments.

According to the Bill, the officers will be responsible for the “coordination of national government functions as set out in the Constitution".

Also, the Cabinet Secretary will be required to develop a scheme of service for the officials.

Chiefs have protested citing fear for their jobs after the March 4, 2013 General Election.