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{
    "id": 892200,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/892200/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 107,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Tharaka, DP",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. George Gitonga",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 13491,
        "legal_name": "George Gitonga Murugara",
        "slug": "george-gitonga-murugara"
    },
    "content": " Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. I beg to move the following Motion: THAT, aware that village elders play an integral role in the functioning of the national Government at the village level by assisting chiefs and assistant chiefs in facilitating national Government services including promotion of education, handling security issues, solving disputes, promoting development initiatives, and social services in their villages through the “ Nyumba Kumi \" initiative; concerned that these officers discharge these important duties without any facilitation by the Government; acknowledging the need to appreciate and motivate these village elders for the services rendered; cognisant of the resolution of the House of 28th July 2016, urging the national Government to consider giving a monthly or annual honorarium to village elders as a means of appreciating their services and encouraging their dedication to the community; this House further urges the national Government to formulate and implement a policy on the criteria for recruitment and remuneration of village elders. This Motion is borne out of the concern this House has for the basic administration units of the Government found in the villages. It is important for us to know who the village elders are. In every village, the first person who deals with Government matters is a village elder. However, it is not clear how village elders are recruited. It is almost certain that none of them gets paid by the Government. The village elders are variously known as area managers in some areas and they are also given other traditional names depending on where they come from. We have the “ NyumbaKumi” initiative, which is an initiative of the Government to try and bring order and the rule of law in the villages through an organised group that consists of cells of about 10 households. They are headed by village elders. The village elders are in charge of villages and they discharge important duties. It is important to draw a distinction between the village administrators, who are provided for in the County Governments Act and village elders. The distinction in most counties is clear. The village is the location. Therefore, the village administrator takes the rank and role of a chief in the county government. However, in the case that we have before this House this morning, we have villages as they are known and that is where the elders are found. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposes only. Acertified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor."
}