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{
    "id": 1244946,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1244946/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 220,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Tabitha Mutinda",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Thank you, Mr. Speaker, Sir, for giving me this opportunity to support the Statement by Sen. Cherarkey concerning our colleagues on the ground none other than MCAs. The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) Chair allocated themselves a car grant worth Kshs10 million whereas MCAs allocation is Kshs2 million but it is still taxed. That is quite unfair because we know the role MCAs play on the ground level. They are an easy connection between them and the people. One thing that comes out clearly is lack of autonomy for the county assemblies to budget for their resources. They have to wait for governors to transfer funds after they have been allocated to counties. This has brought friction. As we address the issue of the welfare of MCAs, we must also address the issue of autonomy by the county assemblies. MCAs should budget for their own funds without depending on the governors. This has made the governors hardheaded. They have to coerce MCAs because they hold the money. It is high time the National Treasury started remitting funds directly to the assemblies, so that MCAs can plan and budget for it. Mr. Speaker, Sir, MCAs are the ones who elect the Speakers, just like we elected you to sit on that particular seat. The Speaker at the county level earns more than Kshs500,000, among other allowances, yet an MCA earn Kshs86,000. That is quite unfair. MCAs vet and approve appointment of County Executive Committee Members (CECMs) but the CECMs end up calling the shots eventually. That is wrong and it should stop. The Senator had requested my Committee on Finance and Budget. I also want to support what my senior colleagues mentioned in terms of this matter being debated in plenary, so that we get to the bottom of this issue. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I also request that the issue be given the urgency it deserves. I thank you."
}