MCAs fight for right to hire staff
Mr Justice Isaac Lenaola of the High Court during past proceedings. Mr Lenaola ordered the panel, led by Prof Karega Mutahi, to suspend work on filling vacancies at the commission until he makes a ruling on August 29 in a case seeking to stop the appointments. PHOTO | BILLY MUTAI | FILE
What you need to know:
- The representatives from 47 counties want the High Court to declare as illegal a directive by the Transition Authority that blocked their plans.
- They maintained that the establishment of ward offices was necessary for close contact with voters and consultation on issues before or under discussion in the assembly.
Members of County Assemblies have renewed their quest to establish offices and hire assistants at the taxpayers’ expense.
The representatives from 47 counties want the High Court to declare as illegal a directive by the Transition Authority that blocked their plans.
The authority warned that the move would cost taxpayers Sh10.5 billion yearly.
But Wednesday, they told the court that the authority was misdirected and undermined the principles and objects of devolution when giving the directive.
FIGHT OVER FIGURES
“The County Government Act establishes the County Assembly Service Boards responsible for constituting offices in the county assembly service and appointing and supervising office holders,” they said.
The representatives argued that the advisory was erroneous and should not have been issued.
They maintained that the establishment of ward offices was necessary for close contact with voters and consultation on issues before or under discussion in the assembly.
“Funding of the establishments of the ward offices is already factored into the budgets of our respective County Assemblies and implementation of the same is feasible,” they said.
The members said the Sh10 billion figure was manipulated and insisted that it would “only” cost Sh650 million annually.
“The Transition Authority never consulted the County Assemblies forum on the expenditure the offices were likely to incur despite in its circular in February calling for consultations,” they claimed.
The members also want a secretary and a driver.
Mr Justice Isaac Lenaola said the case would be heard Thursday.
