Senator Kipchumba Murkomen takes on ward representatives over service delivery

By Wilberforce Netya

Kenya: A section of senators in the North Rift have called on ward representatives in the county assemblies to resume their duties and deliver services even as they agitate for pay rise.

Elgeyo/Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen and his Nandi counterpart Stephen Sang said leaders should concentrate on ensuring citizens benefit from devolution instead of trading accusations.

Form master plan

Murkomen, who charis the Devolution Committee in the Senate also said governors in the region should draw up a master plan to help lure investors to their respective counties.

“Members of County Assemblies should stop asking for money but instead support governors to seek investors since there is so much gain that can be achieved from investments rather than spending most of the time pushing for more funding,” said Murkomen.

He also advised leaders to concentrate on fostering development in their counties rather than fighting supremacy wars.

Murkomen advised governors and senators to focus on matters that improve the lives of citizens who elected them instead of seeking vainglory.

Resume work

Sang disclosed that the Senate was willing to help members of the county assemblies (MCAs) to push for pay rise but advised that they first resume their duties.

He said staying away from work was not punishing the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) chairman Sarah Serem since she did not employ them but rather they were doing a disservice to the electorate.

West Pokot Senator John Lonyangapuo echoed the sentiments made by his colleagues adding that leaders should focus on development matters. The leaders were speaking yesterday during fund raising for school bus at Talau Secondary School in West Pokot County.

Others who attended the function included West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin, Kapenguria MP Samuel Moroto and his Marakwet East counterpart David Kakuko.