Ward Representatives disagree on dress code for public

By ERIC LUNGAI

Vihiga, Kenya: Members of County Assembly (MCA) in Vihiga County have differed sharply on the dressing code for members of the public attending the assembly’s proceedings.

The county assembly had suggested that residents who want to attend the proceedings must wear suits.

However, addressing the residents of Hamisi Constituency yesterday during the installation of Wilberforce Agesa as the sub-county administrator, nominated MCA Nathan Kamidi criticised the move, terming it retrogressive.

“Some of these MCAs just bought suits recently after being elected to the county assembly. Where do they want the members of the public to get money to buy suits, which they will be putting on as they come to the County Assembly,” he posed.

Critical resolution

Kamidi said MCAs who want to lock the public out of the assembly chambers wanted to “do things in the dark” like their predecessors in the defunct local authorities.

He also accused some MCAs of coming up with critical resolutions on county matters without involving the whole House.

The assembly has introduced stern rules to check how visitors to the assembly dress and those who do not adhere to the code will not be allowed in.

This has drawn public outrage,  with residents saying the assembly was out to kill the spirit of public participation in running of county affairs.    

 “I have never dressed in a suit and my financial situation cannot allow me to own one. The rule on dressing code aims at blocking us from attending proceedings. This will deny us our constitutional rights,” said Vincent Angweye, a resident.

Sections of residents are now planning protests against the controversial rule.