Kiambu County Assembly on the spot over failure to keep executive on check

Concerns have been raised about the Kiambu County Assembly’s ability to keep the executive on check, with claims that it had proved itself incapable of playing its oversight and legislation roles independently.

Other elected leaders and residents have accused the 87-member House of "going to bed" with the executive, that most of its actions appear to favour the county government and at times punitive to the electorate.

However, Deputy Speaker Anthony Macharia and Majority Leader Patrick Chege rubbished the claims, which some said do not hold water.

According to Ngewa MCA Karungo wa Thang’wa, who is one of Governor William Kabogo’s critics, the claims are evident in the manner members vote and contribute both in the House and public events.

He said since the House came into place, it had constantly favoured the executive at the expense of wananchi, and dared his colleagues to swear on the Bible and deny the claims.

The former broadcaster said the Auditor-General’s reports have accused the county of misappropriating funds but the assembly had never shown interest in digging out the truth.

MCAS RUBBISH REPORTS

Instead, the ward reps, he claimed, use their positions to defend the executive, rubbish the reports and tell on those calling for accountability.

Members query the executive through House committees, but Mr Thang’wa said their committees do not investigate but instead report what the executive wants.

“It’s not a wonder if a query is raised about the location of the headquarters and the executive indicates that it’s in Machakos, a committee would table the same in the House,” he said.

The assembly, he said, had approved dozens of motions but none of them has been adopted by the executive, and blamed the status quo on the House leadership through a committee picked to make a follow-up.

HOUSE NOT INDEPENDENT

Karuri Ward Rep Martin Njoroge, who is also the minority chief whip, said the House is not independent and most members dance to the tune of the executive.

“We have had a situation where a good number [are] supporting an agenda that will go well with Wanjiku but towards the end, they change positions,” Mr Njoroge alleged.

However, former majority leader Simon Komu said the assembly had proved itself through the manner it has been conducting itself.

“To say that members work for the executive is a lie. The House has been squeezing executive officials without favours.

“The House once impeached a CEC only for her to be reinstated by an assembly committee for reasons best known to it,” he said.

Governor Kabogo has also persistently dismissed claims that he has been compromising the assembly, and asked the public to hold their MCAs to account.