Muturi disowns law on senators’ role in boards
What you need to know:
- A cross-section of Members of County Assemblies allied to the Jubilee and Cord coalitions from the North Rift region Sunday closed ranks and resolved to drum up support for a national referendum that seeks to increase allocations for counties.
- The legislators said putting senators in control of the boards could scuttle smooth implementation of development projects in counties.
The National Assembly Sunday distanced itself from a controversial law that puts senators at the helm of County Development Boards.
Speaker Justin Muturi absolved MPs from blame over enactment of County Development Act which was assented to by President Uhuru Kenyatta recently.
He said the bill putting senators in control of the CBDs had been rejected by the lawmakers ‘only to be sneaked in the house again by the Senate through backdoor’.
Mr Muturi said he would approve any amendments to the Act in case it is brought back to the house.
Speaking when he helped raise Sh1.8 million in aid of Eluche Secondary school in Mumias, Mr Muturi said the National Assembly was not in any way undermining devolution and called upon leaders and Kenyans in general to jealously uphold and protect devolution as enshrined in the constitution.
He was accompanied by MPs Victor Manyika (Machakosi town), Bernard Shinali (Ikolomani), Johnson Naicca (Mumias West), Emanuel Wangwe (Navakholo),Dan Wanyama (Webuye West) and nominated MPs Patrick Wangamati and Hassan Osman.
Also present was host MP Benjamin Washiali (Mumias East) and Mumias ACK diocese bishop Beneah Salala.
SCUTTLE IMPLEMENTATION
The legislators said putting senators in control of the boards could scuttle smooth implementation of development projects in counties.
“The boards are relevant but must be allowed to use certain criteria in picking chairmen instead of putting them under the senators,” said Mr Wangwe.
Mr Washiali said putting senators in control of County development boards could a recipe for chaos.
The statements by the MPs came as the push for a national referendum by governors gathered pace across the country.
The governors are demanding increased budgetary allocation for counties to 45 per cent.
A cross-section of Members of County Assemblies allied to the Jubilee and Cord coalitions from the North Rift region Sunday closed ranks and resolved to drum up support for a national referendum that seeks to increase allocations for counties.
The MCA’s, majority of whom are drawn from the ruling Jubilee coalition said they would rally their supporters and collect more than two million signatures that would compel the national government to conduct a referendum.
