MCAs Boycott Sitting to push for Salaries, Development Funds

Nakuru, Wednesday June 7, 2023

KNA by Anne Sabuni

Nakuru County MCAs have moved a motion to adjourn their sitting to an indefinite date to join their counterparts across the country in pushing for their salaries and Ward development fund.

While downing their tools, the MCAs demanded the reinstatement of their salaries back to Shs.165, 000 paid in the last assembly noting that reviewing the salaries downwards to Sh86, 000, by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission, was unacceptable.

Ol Karia MCA Peter Palanga, who is serving his third term at the assembly regretted that the meager earnings could not sustain them considering the increased demands and cost of fuel acknowledging the fact that he has to commute to Nakuru from his ward.

“Our car grants are also being subjected to tax and the constitution seems to be used in favour of MPs and the Senate as legislators though MCAs serve the same role. We demand for the autonomy of the assembly. The assembly should not depend on the executive to make its requisition issues with the Controller of Budget as well as procurement,” noted Palanga.

Naivasha MCA Stanley Karanja, who doubles as Secretary General to the Association of MCAs, while announcing the paralysis at the assembly noted that the MCAs would not continue serving without the Affirmative fund in form of the Ward Fund, just as the Senate Oversight Fund.

“My pay slip has a net salary of Sh.34, 000 that cannot ferry me from Mai Mahiu to the assembly for three days a week. Are we only here to make money for fuel and food, this is not politically palatable,” he remarked, noting that the move was geared towards scuffling devolution.

The County Assembly Forum (CAF), alongside other leaders have also backed up the MCAs demands for reinstatement of their plenary sitting allowances, following the elapsing of the 14 days’ notice to the government and SRC to reinstate their pay and allowances.

Courtesy ; K. N. A