Claims on MCAs false, says speaker

Dr Nuh Nassir Abdi, chairman of the County Assembly Forum, (right) and SRC Chairperson Sarah Serem (centre). Nur has criticised the Transition Authority which claimed recently that county reps had hired more than 10,000 staff, leading to the loss of public funds. PHOTO/FILE.

What you need to know:

  • Dr Nuh Nassir Abdi, the Speaker Tana River County Assembly, however, said money for ward offices was provided for in county assembly budgets as stipulated by the law.
  • He said in a paid advertisement in national dailies yesterday that the necessity of having offices for MCAs in wards was in furtherance of their constitutional and statutory mandates, key among them being representation.

A speaker of the county assembly has criticised the Transition Authority which claimed recently that county reps had hired more than 10,000 staff, leading to the loss of public funds.

According to the authority, Members of the County Assembly (MCA) had hired and retained assistants at a cost of Sh875 million a month or Sh10.5 billion a year. 

Dr Nuh Nassir Abdi, the Speaker Tana River County Assembly, however, said money for ward offices was provided for in county assembly budgets as stipulated by the law.

He said in a paid advertisement in national dailies yesterday that the necessity of having offices for MCAs in wards was in furtherance of their constitutional and statutory mandates, key among them being representation.

“It is imperative therefore, that, for the MCAs to perform their roles, they must have offices at their wards,” Dr Nassir said.

He said the staff at ward offices facilitate MCAs in performing their roles in accordance with the law.

He added that the employees were not involved in the functions of the county executive and therefore, duplication or undermining of roles did not arise.