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{
    "id": 393477,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/393477/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 165,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Sen. Kembi-Gitura",
    "speaker_title": "",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 242,
        "legal_name": "James Kembi Gitura",
        "slug": "kembi-gitura"
    },
    "content": "are not doing that, then how are we sure that the counties that we represent are proceeding in the way they ought to. This matter should be taken care of so that the people we represent have the necessary representation. At the beginning of this Senate, we said that we do not want or even wish to be seen to devolve corruption to the counties. If we do this, then we would have lost everything. Due to the little salaries paid to MCAs, they are tempted not to deal with the issues of the county but instead concentrated on other issues so that they can also make a livelihood. If this happens, then devolution is going to be adversely affected and in my considered opinion, we shall have lost the dream for which we passed a new Constitution in August, 2010 which was to bring services closer to the people, bring governance closer to the people and to grant to the people that position or ability to be part and parcel of their own governments. The link between the people and the county government are the MCAs. Mr. Speaker, Sir, in supporting this very important Motion, I want to again urge the Commissioner in charge of this Commission, Commissioner Sarah Serem, that this is an extremely important issue and that dialogue is the only way out and she cannot wish away MCAs or assume that this problem is going to go away because it will not. She has to deal with it because she is the only person at the moment empowered to deal with it, she would better take the bull by the horn, bite the bullet and sit down with them. We know for sure that if there is a will, there is going to be a way. Dialogue is the only way out. The solution is not to run away from this very important issue. Somebody has asked where the money is going to come from. With respect, that cannot be the correct question to ask at this time because the counties have budgets. If MCAs have to be paid from that budget, then it needs to be budgeted for. All the counties need to tighten their belts so that at least the MCAs are able to get a substantive and equitable remuneration for a day’s work. All of us agree that what they have been paid now is not and cannot be said to be decent pay for the work that they have been elected to do. We are not talking about councillors. We are talking about MCA, who are essentially like Members of Parliament and who are representing much larger constituencies than councillors did at that time. These are people dealing with issues of devolution including how money is going to reach the people that they represent, be it school bursaries and other development issues. So, how are they going to do it considering what is happening now because they are not in office? I think this is a matter of national importance and I think this is an issue that we, as the Senate, need to take with a lot of seriousness. We should make Mrs. Sarah Serem understand that we are talking about continuity and the essence of that thing that we, as Senators, swore to protect, that is, how well the counties are going to run. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I want to end by saying that I do not believe that the money the MCAs are currently getting is decent pay. I want to believe that they are reasonable people and have been reasonable people who are willing to meet and agree on what is reasonable. But it cannot be that the person telling them what is reasonable is the same person setting those limits without giving them a chance to even talk about it themselves. When was the last time she had a chance to sit down with the representatives to discuss this important issue? Why has she decided to look at them contemptuously and refuse to engage with them? Why does she think that this is not a very important issue? How does The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}