We wi*l follow in governors suit if impa*se persists, MCAs lobby says
Reuben Mwambingu and George Kebaso
County Assemblies Forum (CAF) have also threatened to shut down assemblies by next Thursday, should the Senate fail to resolve the revenue sharing stalemate by Tuesday.
Addressing the press in Mombasa yesterday, CAF chair Ndegwa Wahome who is also Nyandarua County Assembly Speaker, asked the country to brace for tough times.
“But we are asking that counties in consultation with the Controller of Budget and the National Treasury, be allowed to utilise local revenue at source, to ensure that delivery of essential services continue uninterrupted,” he stated in Mombasa.
He further warned that if the Senate fails to unlock the impasse, all MCAs across the country will mobilise their followers, to commence the process to recall senators for abdicating their constitutional duties.
“This is simple because the Senate which has the constitutional mandate of protecting the interest of counties has failed to discharge its mandate,” he said.
He added: “ CAF hereby supports the decision by the Council of Governors to send non-essential staff on leave for the next two weeks, until a solution to the current impasse is found.
But the delivery of essential services particularly in the health sector, should continue uninterrupted.”
Speaks ‘big English’
The threats by the assemblies come at a time when unions representing health workers in the country, blamed leaders for politicising the county cash sharing formula at the expense of service delivery.
The unions say the National Treasury should overlook the ongoing political debate and release funds immediately for continuity of services in the counties.
In a joint statement, the over ten unions said the release of funds to counties is urgent as Senate continues to deliberate on revenue sharing.
“It is very clear that interest of politicians in this country is not about serving Kenyans, but how much they can make from everything,” Kenya National Union of Nurses Secretary-General Seth Panyako said.
He said county workers have not been paid for the last three months yet the lawmakers are busy in the Senate speaking ‘big English’.
The unions represent doctors, nurses, clinicians, dietitians and officials from other health sectors.
Panyako said health is a shared function and in case of a crisis, the parent ministry should step in.
Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union Secretary General, Chibanzi Mwachonda said it is clear that politicians are interested in how much they make, instead of serving the electorate.
