Reps get the nod to hire 4,350 aides
Members of the 47 county assemblies react during a forum at Bomas of Kenya on August 23, 2014. FILE PHOTO | WILLIAM OERI |
What you need to know:
- MCAs to be allocated three employees each.
- Revenue allocation commission says county leaders can use Sh1.1bn to employ assistants.
The Commission on Revenue Allocation has approved the expenditure of Sh1.1 billion by county assemblies to hire 4,350 aides for ward representatives.
A document prepared by the commission shows that it has approved a request by members of county assemblies to allow them to hire staff to serve them.
All the MCAs, including nominated ones, would be allocated three employees each to work in their ward offices, with one being a driver.
On Tuesday, the Senate’s Finance Committee chairman, Mr Billow Kerrow, said: “We have allocated an additional Sh2.5 billion to 34 of the 47 counties after they asked for the money. Those that did not apply will receive what the CRA approved.”
Last year, MCAs came under criticism for asking their assemblies to allow them to hire up to six assistants to work in their ward offices.
The enhanced recurrent expenditure ceilings, which now allow counties access to a maximum of Sh27 billion, will include Sh8.7 billion, set aside for the new National Hospital Insurance Fund deductions for 2,180 MCAs, and another Sh1.4 billion for MCAs’ mileage claims.
The CRA has also issued a budget ceiling that allows counties to spend up to Sh668 million in salaries and allowances for governors, Sh450 million for deputy governors’ salaries and Sh2 billion in salaries for county executives.
The governors will also be allowed to spend up to Sh715 million on their advisers, security and domestic workers.
Members of county public service boards will draw Sh1 billion, while each devolved unit will be allowed to spend Sh10 million to fund a medical scheme for staff amounting to Sh470 million for all the 47 regions.
HEALTHCARE PROJECT
At the same time, the National Treasury has written to the World Bank indicating that the national government was now ready to partner and consult with county governments on implementing a key healthcare project.
The World Bank is injecting Sh14 billion into the project, set to be launched on Monday next week. However governors have not been supporting it.
“It is critical that we make adequate consultations to ensure smooth implementation of the project,” says a letter from Treasury Principal Secretary Kamau Thugge.
