Makueni MCAs urged to consult ex-councillors

Mr Oscar Kalia, the chairman of an association of former councillors in Makueni County, gestures as he speaks to reporters in Wote Town on May 24, 2016. He urged MCAs to consult the former ward legislators in executing their duties. PHOTO | PIUS MAUNDU | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The former leaders of the defunct local authorities through their association’s chairperson, Mr Oscar Kalia, faulted the manner in which Members of County Assembly undertook their law making and representation functions, citing public participation forums as an example.
  • According to Mr Kalia, 62, former law makers “have a wealth of experience in leadership that would be handy to Members of County Assembly in their responsibilities.”

Former councillors in Makueni County now want MCAs to consult them before making any decisions.

The former leaders of the defunct local authorities through their association’s chairperson, Mr Oscar Kalia, faulted the manner in which Members of County Assembly undertook their law making and representation functions, citing public participation forums as an example.

“MCAs undertake public participation barazas hurriedly, as if they do not understand the importance of these forums in development, and they seldom involve former councillors,” he said.

He said that it was impractical for the MCAs to hold multiple public participation forums in one day “as has been the norm in Makueni and expect to tap meaningful interaction with citizens.”

According to Mr Kalia, 62, former law makers “have a wealth of experience in leadership that would be handy to Members of County Assembly in their responsibilities.”

He said: “In addition, we should also be invited to these forums so that our insights on development are harnessed.”

The former councillor, who served for 15 years in Kiteta Ward, is convinced that the current law makers would learn a lot by working closely with the former councillors.

He said that the 170 former councillors across the county had written to Governor Kivutha Kibwana, as well as the national government to pay them gratuities.

“We humbly appeal to the governor and Members of Parliament to consider our application and fast track the processing of our payment because we are currently jobless,” he said.