Groups scramble to win MCAs’ backing

Elgeyo-Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos and the County Assembly Speaker Albert Kochei (left) during a session on March 27, 2014. County assemblies continue to grapple with a cash crunch, with Uasin Gishu having just Sh1 million in its account and spending all its income on salaries and allowances. FILE PHOTO |

What you need to know:

  • CAF confirmed receiving invitations from Cord and the Governors’ Council for meetings to discuss the referendum.
  • The Governors’ Council and Cord are spearheading separate referendum campaigns and view the MCAs’ support as crucial.

The scramble for the support of county assemblies is on as different sides push their referendum agenda.

The Executive, Governors Council and Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord) have all reached out to the County Assemblies Forum (CAF).

On Tuesday, CAF confirmed receiving invitations from Cord and the Governors’ Council for meetings to discuss the referendum.

The body further confirmed that a scheduled meeting with President Kenyatta over the matter two weeks ago had been called off at the last minute.

CAF secretary-general Albert Kochei however said they would not honour any invitations until their meeting with all MCAs from across the country at the Bomas of Kenya this weekend.

It is during this meeting that they will take a common position on the referendum push by the governors and Cord.

“As we speak, Cord has called the CAF executive for a consultative meeting on Thursday. The Council of Governors has also written asking us for a similar meeting,” he stated.

“On Saturday, we will meet all the MCAs to deliberate on issues affecting the country and make appropriate resolutions on the way forward. It is only this meeting that can mandate us to reach out to any group on the referendum issue,” Mr Kochei said.

He declined to give the reasons for the cancellation of the State House meeting.

“The National Executive is better placed to explain the cancellation of the State House meeting because it is the one that called it off. As I speak, I only have two invitation letters, from Cord and the Council of Governors,” he explained.

MUST BE PASSED

The Governors’ Council and Cord are spearheading separate referendum campaigns and view the MCAs’ support as crucial because the draft Bill with the parts of the Constitution to be amended must be passed by at least 24 out of the 47 county assemblies before it is presented to the National Assembly and the Senate.

Should both Houses pass the Bill, it goes to the President for assent into law but if it is rejected by both or either House, it is subjected to a referendum.