Stop foreign trips and defend devolution, Raila tells MCAs

Coalition for Reforms and Democracy co-principal Raila Odinga (Right) on August 14, 2015 while he addressed MCAs in Taita - Taveta County, asked Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) to stop foreign trips and instead channel the money used to initiate development projects. PHOTO | KEVIN ODIT | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Mr Odinga said on Friday that MCAs should instead channel the funds to projects that can help improve the poor living conditions of Kenyans.
  • He condemned countrywide wrangles between county leadership and the MCAs saying such power struggles are not beneficial to Kenyans.
  • Cord will continue pushing for more funds through Okoa Kenya initiative to ensure 45 per cent of funds are devolved to the counties, Mr Odinga said.

Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) should stop wasteful foreign trips, Cord co-principal Raila Odinga has said.

Mr Odinga said on Friday that MCAs should instead channel the funds to projects that can help improve the poor living conditions of Kenyans.

He was speaking when he addressed Taita-Taveta County Assembly members, where he noted that some of the trips had no tangible value to electorates.

“You should know countries are tired of hosting delegations from Kenya. You are wasting resources in benchmarking and bonding trips instead of directing the funds to development. As Cord representatives, you were elected to perform. Your success is my success and your failure is mine too,” he said.

The former Prime Minister said his coalition will be judged by their performance in the next General Election.

Taita-Taveta and the Coast region being a Cord stronghold, Mr Odinga said if they perform better than their opponents, it will boost his chances of capturing the presidency.

WRANGLES NOT BENEFICIAL

He condemned countrywide wrangles between county leadership and the MCAs saying such power struggles are not beneficial to Kenyans.

“Devolution is being fought by powerful forces from the national government and other quarters that do not want development at the grassroots. Some MCAs have joined the fight against devolution in impeachment and court cases seeking removal of governors, executives, speakers and other leaders. You must be defenders of devolution. These fights are needless,” he said.

The new system of governance is facing challenges of dismal funds from the national government, Mr Odinga said.

“The Constitution has set the lower limit of money that can be sent to the counties. The national government is only giving counties 15 percent, instead of devolving more funds, they are engaged in wars of ensuring devolution does not work. MCAs must stand for that child in Pokot, who cannot go to school like his age mates elsewhere. You must stand for that woman in Turkana who cannot access health care as other women elsewhere,” he said

OKOA KENYA

Cord will continue pushing for more funds through Okoa Kenya initiative to ensure 45 per cent of funds are devolved to the counties, Mr Odinga said.

“We are bringing this money for development. You must properly perform your oversight roles in checking the expenditure of the executive, not telling them that they cannot implement projects in your wards without your authority,” the Cord leader said.

He said devolution is changing lives and that Kenyans love it because it is had done that in three years, where the national government had failed in 50 years.

Taita-Taveta Governor John Mruttu said the executive and MCAs have failed to agree on a number of issues but they have engaged constructively and resolved those issues amicably.