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{
"id": 1402680,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1402680/?format=api",
"text_counter": 179,
"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Cherarkey",
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"speaker": {
"id": 13217,
"legal_name": "Cherarkey K Samson",
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"content": "Sen. Cheruiyot said that the threshold is okay. He proposed that we should review all laws on devolution. Sen. Osotsi said that we need to strike a balance, and I agree and thank him. Sen. Orwoba said that we need to enhance impeachment proceedings and the transition. I agree and welcome those ideas. Sen. Faki is in full support. Sen. Seki talked about stability of the counties. Sen.Wambua, the Senate Deputy Minority Leader, talked about assessment of impeachment procedure, which I agree with. If the Senate Majority Whip takes long, any Member should pick it up, so that we have decency. Sen. Thang’wa gave his testimony. We were lucky that we had a testimony by someone who has gone through an impeachment in a county assembly. Those were insightful comments. He is also the sponsor of the Impeachment Procedure Bill. I want to assure him that when it comes up, we will support him. Sen. Kavindu Muthama said that we should try to protect both the primary oversight role of MCAs, while at the same time, ensure that it is maintained. She proposed that we have a mirror-like glow, where national legislation should reflect other jurisdictions. Sen. Chute talked about the need to fight corruption and have MCAs welfare. You are aware that I am the biggest champion for that. I am happy the President directed that we need to review and look at the welfare of MCAs, not only their salaries and emoluments, but also their welfare and mileage allowances. He has said it takes two days to go through the ward. Kilibwoni ward in Nandi is one of the largest. From Kemeloi, Maraba to Songhor/Soba, which is one of the biggest wards. You can imagine the type of car required. Let us look at the salary disparities. Under labour laws, when MCAs started, the basic salary was around Kshs140,000 to Kshs200,000. However, the basic salary is now Kshs80,000. In contrast, the Speaker of the County Assembly and the CECMs are earning over Kshs450,000. The governors are earning Kshs1.1 million. In the principle of a third, the MCA should be earning the same basic salary as Senators. The President and the Deputy President earn Kshs1.2 million and we are earning Kshs500,000. The basis of their salary should be half of what the governor is earning, so that it gives value to MCAs. I am happy that the issue of MCAs has received the necessary attention. We must protect the MCAs. Even if we give power to MCAs and they are not well-resourced in terms of the chambers and systems they use, I thank your office because every time a county assembly team comes to your office, the secretariat is always at hand to build capacity for both the MCAs and the secretariat. MCAs play a critical and pivotal role in protecting devolution in our Republic. Along with other colleagues, I will continue championing the fact that we must protect the MCAs and give them their resources. I hope the County Assemblies Forum (CAF), the Council of Governors (CoG), and the Association of Members of County Assembly (AMCA), led by my brother Mwalimu the MCA from Naivasha in Nakuru County, should fast-track the proposed policies. This is not just about MCAs, it is about the future of devolution in our country. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
}