By NIKKO TANUI
Kericho, Kenya: A Kericho County MP has found himself in trouble with ward representatives for allegedly referring to them as councillors during the debate on the National Flag, Emblems and Names (Amendments) Bill.
The 47 ward representatives, debating a Motion by education committee chairman Cheruiyot Bett on the creation of Chebulu Conservancy in Kaplel Artet Ward, interrupted proceedings on Wednesday “to discuss a matter of great concern”.
One after the other, the furious ward representatives took advantage of the assembly’s privileges and used choice words to condemn Belgut MP Eric Keter for allegedly belittling them.
They reminded the MP that the term was obsolete as the Constitution refers to them as Members of the County Assembly.
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“The Constitution refers to us as honourable members of the county and it bestows county assemblies the same legislative powers as the National Assembly and it was wrong of the MP to refer to us like a bunch of people who don’t have any legislative powers,” Majority Leader Daniel Rono later said in a Press conference at the assembly.
Lawmakers scared
He said they would resist MPs’ and the Senate’s scheme to slash devolution funds back to the minimum of 15 per cent.
“This is a well-orchestrated move to starve county funds so that come next year, they cannot function and will crumble,” he said.
Rono said county governments, alongside ward representatives, were implementing enormous development projects and that was the reason why MPs and senators were running scared.
“MPs and senators have noted that our projects, as well as those by county governments, have a positive impact on residents’ lives and they are now scared that they might lose their popularity,” he said.
