Striking MCAs have let voters down

The Standard on Saturday

The suspension of sittings in numerous county assemblies is not only unfortunate, but also smacks off greed and selfishness.

 It is an affront to the letter and spirit of the new Constitution as the Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution (CIC) noted yesterday.

By boycotting sittings the elected Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) have let down the electorate and Kenyans at large on implementation of the new dispensation.

Public service should always come before personal interest. While seeking votes the elected men and women promised to serve the electorate and the issue of their personal pay was not overemphasized then.

Devolution now hangs in the balance as the MCAs unnecessarily harass the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).

Their demands for better pay are legitimate, but they should not put the running of the county governments in jeopardy.

The SRC is a constitutional commission and has the mandate of reviewing salaries of all state officials. But it is not to be hurried or coerced into pleasing a section of the state officers. The Sarah Serem-led commission must be allowed to follow its own procedures weigh merits and demerits while recommending state officers’ income.

We agree with CIC chairman Charles Nyachae that owing to the demands of some offices, the holders cannot afford to go on strike. Not so when Kenyans’ expectations on a devolved system of government are so high.

They envisage a rapid movement from the centre (national government) of resources and services to the grassroots. This is so after many decades of skewed sharing of the ‘national cake’ presided over by past regimes.

Devolution is therefore a system that carries with it an undeniable weight of expectations. Those seen to be derailing it are enemies of the Republic. Indeed, those not happy with the salary could as well resign and let the new dispensation take root.  

If push comes to shove and the dissenting county assemblies continue paralysing county governments, Article 176 of the Constitution allows the national government to take over. This would negate the very purpose Kenyans endorsed devolution as outlined in the Constitution.

By adjoining sittings simply because they feel SRC has ignored their demands, the MCAs are flouting the Constitution.

As things are, there is no one to check the County Executive, approve county policies, endorse the budget or make county laws in the affected counties. This is a great disservice to the constituents.

While a few county governments have made significant strides in laying foundations for growth, majority seem stuck in the old ways.

Even as county leaders deserve a fair share of monies from the national government (not less than 15 per cent of the budget), they must device ways of creating wealth.

Lobbying local and international investors is one way of beating humiliating poverty. Let governors lead in this as the MCAs and fellow county leaders support income-generating projects. Value addition to agricultural products is another means county leaders should champion to empower farmers.

The MCAs from mineral-rich counties, for instance, should be looking at how best to cater for residents’ needs even as they welcome the multi-nationals with deep pockets.

Indeed, should the county governments make so much money there is no reason the MCAs should not be paid handsomely. But for now, let them roll up their sleeves and prove their worth.

Just yesterday, Machakos County launched an ambitious new city and promised to eradicate poverty. Last week, the county government gave out nearly two million chicks to women and youth.

It also gave out 120 tractors to help in tilling land. While some may begrudge Governor Alfred Mutua for being too ambitious, it takes a first step to grow something. Others might say he is media savvy, but surely it is difficult to put down a hard worker.

For the purposes Kenyans elected you into office, let the striking MCAs shed the selfish tag and resume their duties of serving Kenyans. Your pay should be deserved and not as an empty reward for just being elected.