MCAs break ranks with lawmakers opposing poll

What you need to know:

  • The MCAs claimed Kilifi North MP Gideon Mung’aro had not consulted the residents when he decided to work with the Jubilee Government.
  • The youths spearheading the signature collection, Mr Justin Kitsao and Mr Emmanuel Kadenga, accused area MPs of sidelining the electorate in crucial issues affecting them.
  • Mr Mung’aro said those opposing the referendum were mainly worried about the lack of accountability and transparency in counties.

Some county assembly members and youths have distanced themselves from MPs opposed to the referendum, arguing it was the answer to Coast’s historical injustices.

The MCAs claimed Kilifi North MP Gideon Mung’aro had not consulted the residents when he decided to work with the Jubilee Government.

They spoke in Dabaso Ward at the weekend.

The youths spearheading the signature collection, Mr Justin Kitsao and Mr Emmanuel Kadenga, accused area MPs of sidelining the electorate in crucial issues affecting them.

“The shortcomings of the national government prompted the referendum push, which is bound to succeed,” they said, adding that no amount of intimidation would make them give up their quest for more resources for the grassroots.

But Mr Mung’aro dismissed those clamouring for the Pesa Mashinani referendum, saying they should first account for what they had received from the government.

USE OF TAXES

“The MCAs and youths should not use the ignorance of our people to support something they don’t understand. If those pushing for the plebiscite are genuine, they should tell us how they have used the locally collected taxes and money received from the national government,” he said by telephone.

The lawmaker said none of the county governments had come clean on the use of taxes collected.

Mr Mung’aro said those opposing the referendum were mainly worried about the lack of accountability and transparency in counties.

Dabaso Ward MCA Mohamed Hamsa, who was accompanied by other representatives, dismissed claims that holding the referendum would force taxes to go up.

“The referendum is important because it will address the historical injustices meted against Kenyans since independence,” he said.

He accused the government of only releasing 12 per cent of money to the counties instead of the constitutional 15 per cent.