Our job is thankless and unrewarding, says Embu MCA

A copy of a payslip that Nyeri MCA Jesse Kamuri (Wamagana Ward) produced in public to refute claims that he earns Sh1 million in a month. In Embu, nominated MCA Shunem Ngira said the post of a ward representative was a huge sacrifice as it exerts too much financial pressure on the holder. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Ms Ngira said the County Assembly of Embu boasted a sizeable number of MCAs with degrees.
  • She said the post of a ward representative is a huge sacrifice as it exerts too much financial pressure on the holder.
  • She said MCAs are invited to more than 20 harambees a month since they are always at the grassroots.
  • In Nyeri County, an MCA produced his payslip in public to refute claims that he earns Sh1 million in a month.

A member of the Embu County Assembly has cautioned aspiring politicians against vying for ward representative seats in pursuit of monetary gains, saying it was thankless and financially unrewarding.

Nominated MCA Shunem Ngira said the post of a ward representative was a huge sacrifice as it exerts too much financial pressure on the holder.

She said MCAs are invited to more than 20 harambees a month since they are always at the grassroots.

Speaking during a media briefing at the assembly, Ms Ngira observed that attending all these charitable social functions created a deceptive perception that the ward rep’s seat was very attractive financially.

Ms Ngira advised those seeking the posts not to go oin with the mentality that it would make them rich.

“Those wishing to strike riches should venture into business or other forms of investment.

“The MCA’s seat came with untold mental anguish and monetary demands which drain a politician physically, emotionally and economically,” she said.

The MCA, who has declared interest in the Kiambere Ward seat, said some of her counterparts had decided to vie for parliamentary seats in various constituencies in Embu County since they had little pressure.

MCAs NOT ILLITERATE

Ms Ngira dispelled the notion that many MCAs are illiterate and uneducated, saying the Embu assembly has a sizeable number of MCAs with degrees.

She said any flaws in their legislative, oversight and representation mandates were caused by inadequate knowledge about devolution, but not lack of intelligence.

Ms Ngira, at the same time, disclosed that all Embu MCAs had attained diplomas to comply with the requirement that those seeking ward rep seats must have post-secondary education.

Her sentiments come as another MCA from Nyeri County produced his payslip in public to refute claims that he earns Sh1 million a month.

During the burial of the mother of Chief of Staff Joseph Kinyua, former majority leader Jesse Kamuri (Wamagana Ward) showed his payslip to Governor Nderitu Gachagua and challenged him to produce his.

However, Mr Gachagua told him that the payslip he had produced did not show the allowances he earned.

The payslip shows that the MCA earns a net salary of Sh58,561, with his gross salary being Sh154,889.

(Additional reporting by Boniface Mwangi; Editing by Martin Kinyanjui)