Quorum hitch forces Nakuru County Assembly to adjourn after nine minutes

Perennial quorum hitches and lack of serious business to transact continues to dog the 74-member Nakuru County Assembly, with the Wednesday morning session adjourning after only nine minutes.

The assembly, which has been plagued by lack of business, is set to go for a four-week recess starting Thursday to reconvene on October 4, 2016.

On Wednesday, the laxity of the MCAs started to manifest itself when the House business that was set to begin at 9.30am failed to kick off as only four members were present.

Interestingly, the MCAs were just outside the House chatting and laughing and their conversations could be heard by the few members who were inside the assembly’s chambers.

But it seemed the members knew there was nothing to discuss in what is becoming a trend for the assembly.

SITTING ALLOWANCES

The quorum was finally raised and the acting Speaker Stephen Karanja Kiarie (Kihingo Ward) stepped in at around 9.50am, prompting the MCAs to rush into the House.

Moments after hurriedly signing the register, some of the MCAs made a quick exit while only a few sat to follow the day’s proceedings.

Each member is paid Sh3,900 sitting allowance per session and in a week each MCA pockets Sh15,600.

Majority, however, only make technical appearances to register and leave in a huff or make a quick dash moments after the session is over to ensure they get their sitting allowances.

In his communication, Mr Kiarie said that many pending statements that had been requested by members were yet to be tabled because chairpersons of the committees responsible had delayed submitting them despite being given adequate time by Speaker Susan Wakarura Kihika.

On Wednesday, Mr Kiarie pleaded with the MCAs concerned to table the statements Thursday as it was the deadline for submitting them.