Kisii Senator Chris Obure particularly expressed concern at the makeshift offices that some County Assembly Members work in, including tree shades and vehicles arguing that they needed better working conditions/FILE
During the morning debate, the Senators implored county governments to put into consideration the work that the County Assembly Members put in and at least equip them with computers with which to perform their constitutional duties.
Kisii Senator Chris Obure particularly expressed concern at the makeshift offices that some County Assembly Members work in, including tree shades and vehicles arguing that they needed better working conditions.
It is also worth noting that before the Salaries and Remuneration Commission gave them a pay rise, the County Assembly members were taking home a gross pay of Sh79,000.
Ngewa Ward County representative Karungo wa Thangwa is known to attend to his constituents at the county’s market place where he puts up a makeshift office every Tuesday and Friday.
“It is not acceptable to see them working from their cars, hotel rooms, tea rooms, bars and even under trees. These Members should be facilitated to have decent offices from which they will discharge their functions and in the process serve the citizens more effectively,” argued Obure.
Uasin Gishu Senator Melly Kipkemboi at the same time urged the County Assembly members to go back to school and enhance their knowledge and skills to be able to carry out their tasks well.
“So that every evening after session, they go to class and I think we have already registered a good number of them so that as they progress in making laws at any given time, they will have the capacity to deal with the issues as they arise,” he explained.
The Senators further asked the county governments to put up media centres in their respective counties to allow journalists discharge their duties.
Kagwe explained that journalists in Nyeri County do not have a place to conduct interviews with the county’s leaders and are normally forced to do them in the open.
The Senators further asked county governments to put up modern abattoirs and tanneries to simulate livestock production and business as a means of spurring economic growth.
Through a Motion sponsored by nominated Senator Naisula Lesuuda, the lawmakers noted that the country’s slaughter houses were in a deplorable state and there was need to upgrade to tap into the livestock business.
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