CIC wants women ward reps elected
What you need to know:
- The document says about Sh3.1 billion is needed to pay salaries, Sh154.4 million for car loans and Sh278million for mortgages
- The CIC report says this is not sustainable
A Constitution implementation agency wants the law changed to scrap the nomination of women ward reps.
The Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution’s report titled, “Assessment of the Implementation of the System of Devolved Government,” says the 772 women nominated to county governments drove up the wage bill.
The document says about Sh3.1 billion is needed to pay salaries, Sh154.4 million for car loans and Sh278million for mortgages.
The CIC report indicates that MCAs who serve on various committees also earn a sitting allowance.
“If one is elected a chairperson, they get Sh6,500 per session. The committees have a maximum of eight sittings in a week,” says the CIC.
The report says the vice chairpersons are paid Sh5,200 a sitting, while ordinary committee members get Sh3,900.
In addition, the MCAs also receive Sh109.8 per kilometre as mileage allowance for vehicles ranging from 2000cc to 3000cc. This, CIC says, translates to Sh39,528 a month for fuel and car maintenance.
NOT SUSTAINABLE
The CIC report says this is not sustainable, “as international best practice deems it desirable that the one third constitutional gender rule in all assemblies be achieved through elections.”
The agency says this requires changes in the electoral framework to reduce the barriers women face when seeking elective positions.
CIC says Baringo, Embu, Nyandarua, Kajiado, Kwale, Mandera, Marsabit, Nandi, Turkana, Tharaka Nithi, Tana River, Taita Taveta, Samburu, Narok, Garissa, Lamu, Mandera, Nyeri and Siaya counties did not elect a single woman.
