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"id": 393546,
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"type": "speech",
"speaker_name": "Sen. Mutula Kilonzo Jnr",
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"content": "Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, but more importantly, it is timely that we, the Senate, have adjourned so that we can discuss this issue because I now believe very strongly, as a Senator for Makueni, that the whole country has treated and continues to treat the MCAs with absolute contempt. We are subjecting these people to what I would call “step-child treatment” and possibly, we are treating them as junior partners in devolution. From my own very little experience in the last few days, it is now confirmed that, in fact, the real agents of devolution under the County Government Act are actually the county assemblies. If these people are to be given the respect they deserve, I dare suggest that this Senate must move with extreme speed. The country must then understand that these are not mere promoted councilors. These are MCAs. We have given them a mandate to even pass legislation under Articles 185 and 186 of the Constitution. Therefore, we have expanded their mandate. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I had an opportunity about two weeks ago to look at the payslip of MCAs. They came to see me. One of them produced his payslip and asked me to keep it. I refused to keep it because it was traumatizing to keep such a document. It is a tragedy. In fact, this has taken so long to be addressed; that it is a tragedy that the MCAs continue to be treated with contempt. It is one of the reasons I say that even some governors are treating these MCAs in a manner to suggest that they are junior partners in devolution. The County Government Act puts the county assembly and the county executive under the same Act, gives them complimentary roles; gives them oversight roles in so far as devolution is concerned. There is no reason whatsoever why MCAs should watch as the members of the county executive and the executive themselves ride around in nice, big cars, enjoy very many perks and yet, they are treated in such a manner to suggest that they are almost junior employees of the county executive. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I have a good example. The MCAs of Makueni have now relocated their sittings to a town called Maleli. Why have they done so? They have done so, because they are saying that their lives are in danger and they do not have security. Two weeks ago, the County Assembly of Wote; that is in Makueni, was invaded in the public gallery where people were throwing bottles, weapons, et cetera. Why would we allow, as Senate, for people who we refer to as Members, and people who we consider as agents of devolution, to be treated in such a manner? Why would the county executive particularly watch such an action happen? It is my submission that, in fact, we ought to go a little further and insist that these people ought to be treated with respect because they are elected representatives and not selected representatives. Mr. Deputy Speaker, Sir, in support of this Motion, I think also we, as the Senate, ought to consider something else that possibly the Senate Majority Leader mentioned. We need to look at the County Governments Act and see whether or not there is reason to amend it. Why do I say so? These people, during their campaigns, and I am calling them MCAs, went and campaigned in the same manner as the governors, Senators and Members of the National Assembly. When it comes to implementation, they have no role in implementation and they have no budget for implementation. However, when they go to the grassroots level, people expect them to build roads, pay bursaries et cetera. We, as the House of great ideas and as the people who are supposed to protect devolution, and as 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."
}