MCAs use Legislative Summit to push for car allowance

MCA have stepped up demands for a car grant and a pension scheme similar to that of MPs’.

During a session at the fourth Legislative Summit in Kisumu, yesterday, the MCAs disrupted a proceedings to assess the implementation of last year’s resolutions with chants of “Car grant! Car grant!”

They interrupted nominated Senator Agnes Zani’s presentation, demanding the grant, which they had been seeking since 2013. 

The MCAs are opposed to car loans idea.

They forced the County Assembly Forum acting Secretary General Rebah Wabwire, who was among the panelists discussing the pre-summit resolutions on youth, women and person with disability (PWDs), to take up their cause.

Kisii Deputy Speaker Davins Onuso, the moderator of yesterday’s session, had a difficult time controlling the charged MCAs.

“We are heavily expectant (in reference to their concerns) and hope that delivery will be today. Present here are over 2,000 MCAs,” said Mr Wabwire amid cheers from the ward representatives.

They took issue with delays in the passage of the County Wards Development Equalisation Fund Bill, 2018, and the County Government Retirement Schemes Bill, 2018, on a pension scheme for county government workers and Senate staff.

Equalisation fund

Wabwire also demanded to know what progress had been made by the Senate to establish the Equalisation Fund to allow direct disbursement of funds to the wards.

Murang’a Senator Irungu Kang’ata sponsored the Bill seeking to have the kitty created for MCAs so that they could have direct control of devolved funds, just like the governors.

Dr Zani, one of the panelists representing the Senate, said although the demands were in order, she doubted if the MCAs could be given direct control of ward funds.

“Let me be honest with you. The idea is good. We will try our best to re-look at the law.  But it may not be easy to achieve,” said Zani.

She said the proposed law on Ward Equalisation Fund had been created in a way that the funds would not be given directly to MCAs. Instead, they will be required to identify a project to be funded.

Zani said the pension scheme Bill seeking to give two-term MCAs a pension was in its Second Reading stage in the Senate.

“We are working on it, so I beseech you to be patient,” said Zani.

Chairperson of County Assemblies Disabilities Caucus Elizabeth Onana rooted for special treatment for her members. She said PWDs should be given greater access to funds meant for special groups.

[Kepher Otieno and Roselyne Obala]