Nairobi News

Nakuru MCAs have refused to go on recess saying they are broke.

The MCAs were required to break on Thursday for the long December holiday in line with the county assembly calendar.

Surprisingly, when the motion of adjournment was moved by the Leader of Majority Stanley Karanja. they declined to support it and instead made a string of demands.

They said they were not ready to proceed to a dry recess and insisted on staying on longer so as to hold committee sittings where they can draw some allowances and pass laws that will

The disgruntled MCAs said they were not happy with the rules and regulations governing the disbursement of car and mortgage loans.

The MCAs want the sh2 million car loan and sh3 million mortgage loan to be immediately disbursed to their bank accounts without any security.

TWO MONTHS BREAK

The MCAs were to break for two months and resume on February 13, 2018.

The MCAs also took issue with rules governing the car and mortgage loans which were adopted by their predecessors, arguing that they were hindering smooth disbursement of the loans.

Mr Karanja suggested that since the MCAs were not being paid for any allowances in the plenary sessions, all MCAs should be included in the House Committee to participate in the vetting of Chief Officers and earn allowances.

Deputy Speaker Samuel Tanui while seconding the motion and supporting it said while many MCAs were ready for recess, they were worried that the time to take the loan and start servicing it was fast running.

“We want changes in the loan procedures and the money be wired directly to our bank accounts without any security, said Mr Tonui.

Mauche ward representative Mr Philip Rotich MCA opposed the motion for adjournment saying the MCAs must first get the loans to help them settle and serve the residents.

NO STRINGS ATTACHED

“We should first pass the laws that will help us get these loans without strings attached first before we go on recess,” said Mr Rotich.

Menengai West ward representative Mr Simon Mwangi opposed the adjournment until issues hindering the smooth disbursement of the loans are sorted out.

“We have been waiting for these loans for nearly five months and nothing is moving,” said Mr Mwangi.

Tinet Rep David Malel opposed the motion saying it is a dry recess and MCAs will earn nothing during the break.

“We should be allowed to perform crucial duties for the sake of the residents and from the look of things we are not tired,” said Mr Malel.

Speaker Joel Kairo reminded members that the dates were set by House and only substantive motion can cancel the dates.

Rhonda ward MCA Mr Timothy Kabutu opposed the motion saying the ward workers had not been paid and the long recess was detrimental. “The long recess means we shall be hungry for a long time,” argued Mr Kabutu.

EMPTY POCKETS

Subukia MCA Mary Waiganjo opposed the motion saying the members cannot go on recess with empty pockets.

“How do we go on recess on empty pockets nothing? We need cars to visit all corners of the wards,” said Ms Waiganjo.

Soin MCA Irene Chebich, however, differed with her colleagues, supporting the motion and said it was in line with the assembly calendar and urged members to support it.

Lare MCA Philip Wanjohi opposed the adjournment saying the ward offices were not equipped.

After a heated debate, the members agreed to bring a substantive motion to change the calendar of the assembly next week on Wednesday.