Nakuru MCAs want more ‘work’ and more money

KENYA: Members of Nakuru County Assembly are planning to change their legislative calendar to enable them to work longer and earn more.

The MCAs, who in the past followed the same schedule as the National Assembly, feel disadvantaged in terms of allowances.

Some members have revealed that they intend to reduce the long December recess when the sittings resume on Tuesday.

They also want committee meetings to be allowed to proceed even when the House is on recess to allow them earn more allowances.

The regular session of the National Assembly runs from February to December with four recesses in between.

The longer recess is in December.

"It is true, members feel disadvantaged and want the House Business committee to come up with a custom-made legislative calendar that will enable us work for long hours," said Ndundori Ward Rep Steve Kihara.

"All we need is a friendlier calendar that will enable us dispose of all matters because we deal with different issues," he said.

Leader of Majority George Mwaura admitted that the concerns were raised by members but said they would be difficult for the House Business committee to implement because this will an increase budgetary allocation.

"The Commission of Revenue Allocation is clear on the duration of sittings. The allocation is always for ten months, anything more will be a violation of the law," he said.

But Minority Leader Dan Ambale said members were worried that they might not be able to settle their loans if they continue with the current schedule.

"We realised that the car loans we took were being deducted from our sitting allowances and we might complete our first term without paying the loans in full," he said.

Each of the 55 MCAs got a Sh2 million car loan, which they are supposed to repay before their term expires.

Members earn Sh3,000 per sitting while committee chairpersons earn Sh5,000. They also earn Sh123,750 in salary and a monthly allowance of about Sh124,800.