Africa-Press – Kenya. President William Ruto hosted MCAs from the Rift Valley Thursday evening where he affirmed his commitment to having their salaries reviewed.
In the meeting held at the Statehouse Nakuru, Ruto also reassured the county assemblies that they will soon enjoy financial autonomy.
The Head of State was categorical that he recognised the critical role played by MCAs in supporting the governors in delivering on his manifesto and overseeing the use of funds.
“We are ready to work with you, we are ready to support the counties, you are the custodians of public funds and you must ensure it is spent well,” Ruto told the group.
“Hatutaki pesa ya uma ipotee ama itumike vibaya ama iharibiwe and it is the reason why I have said we must make the county assemblies financially independent so that they run their own budget,” he added.
Ward representatives alongside MPs from the three counties of Baringo, Kericho and Bomet attended the meeting.
MCAs, he added, ought to be facilitated to avoid being subject to the executive and “that one I believe in 100 percent and I will ensure it is done”.
After the meeting, it was agreed that the MCAs select a team for negotiations on how to address the pay dispute.
Last year, the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) abolished the plenary sittings allowances for MCAs.
This has been the source of dispute among the members with a section of county assemblies suspending sessions in protest.
Speaking in Eldoret, President Ruto told the members that they are going to be treated the same way members of parliament are being treated.
Other demands by the ward reps to SRC have been on reinstatement of mileage allowances, review of remuneration and other benefits, establishment of ward development fund and county affirmative fund for nominated MCAs to be anchored in law and a push to be granted financial autonomy for the effective execution of their mandates.
Previous attempts by the leaders have hit a snag with former Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani opposing it.
“I don’t think I support that position because it will be infringing on the concept of devolution,” Yatani said during a past meeting with the Senate Finance and Budget Committee.
During the meeting, Ruto also enumerated his development agenda as he urged the leaders in their respective regions to promote his plans on housing and healthcare.
This, he noted, will create more job opportunities for the youth.
According to Ruto, the housing program which he has continued to popularise will help sort out unemployment, land fragmentation and the problem of the slums.
The President said there are 1,411 slums across the country with seven million living there.
“When we talk about slums, people think it is Kibera, we have everywhere in Kenya,” he said.
He also stated that plans to put up 100 large dams are on course including reviving those that stalled.
He revealed that he will be travelling to China in the next two months to ink a deal on the construction of the Bosto water project in Bomet.
“I have requested the SRC to give us a proper advisory on matters of salaries and wages. It is a subject that as a country we must confront,” he said.
“So I want to tell my members of the county assembly that is a conversation we are going to have.”
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