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{
"id": 1491395,
"url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1491395/?format=api",
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Cherarkey",
"speaker_title": "",
"speaker": {
"id": 13217,
"legal_name": "Cherarkey K Samson",
"slug": "cherarkey-k-samson"
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"content": "these three things can be achieved for the benefit of MCAs, it will be critical, going forward. We need to treat MCAs with respect, decorum and, dignity to ensure their primary oversight is carried out without hindrance. Sometimes I see in State and county functions, that sometimes we do not even give MCAs the opportunity to address the gathering, yet they are the leaders at mashinani who know the village-level problems. Sometimes, I feel sad when I go to public, church, State and county functions and the MCAs are told to stand up and wave. Then, they are thanked for attending the function. Leaders who interact daily with the people from the grassroots should be given priority. Then you find Principal Secretaries being given an hour or so to speak on something they are not aware of. The Bible says that whoever much responsibility is given, much is expected. I want to also challenge the MCAs, like the Meru and Kericho MCAs, to let them do their jobs without fear of contradiction or fear of governors or CECMs. As much as we want to ensure MCAs get financial autonomy, their welfare must also be considered and respected. They should also do their job because that is the calling of the good Book; for us Christians, that is what is demanded of them. In as much as we are pushing for the capacity and ability of MCAs across the nation, we also demand that they do their job. It is shocking when governors appear before the County Public Accounts Committee, where I sit as the Vice Chairperson. Even the local MCA does not have local knowledge of the local project, even their own budget, which they discuss and approve at the County Assembly level. I want to challenge MCAs and call out some. Some MCAs behave like they are governors' Public Relations Officers. They speak more about the programmes of governors, worshipping them and building governors into cult personalities and yet we are here working hard to ensure we give them capacity and ability. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, MCAs should also know their job. As we push for their good welfare here on the Floor of the House and in Parliament, they should also behave and be supervised. Why would an MCA be telling us about the implementation of projects, yet the CECM is there? I saw the Governor of Narok was on the development tour of the Emurua Dikirr Constituency. However, there is nothing the governor was going to launch. He was going to ‘beat’ stories. Did you see his convoy? A convoy that the President cannot have. It was trending. There were more than 100 motor vehicles made of high-end SUVs. The people who are hero-worshipping cult personalities are Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) who are supposed to oversight, and that is unfortunate. We must call out MCAs to do their job and ensure that they perform. For example, in Nandi County, when COVID-19 struck, the sitting governor decided to set a budget of Kshs115 million for mass graves. However, that land does not exist. When you ask MCAs, they do not know where that land is. When we asked them to do their job, they decided to go and fight in the county assembly because of small monies and favours, which they like chasing around. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I urge MCAs that, as we give them the financial autonomy, they should know that to whoever much is given, much is expected. I only have three points. I have heard colleagues say something but Article 219 is very clear; money The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only.A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and Audio Services,Senate."
}