• Governors oppose it saying the key roles of MCAs are representation, legislation and oversight.
• The Bill, if passed, would give MCAs developmental roles just like their National Assembly counterparts.
Image: COURTESY
MPs have rejected key legislation that could have handed MCAs a central role in the management of development projects in their wards.
Members of the National Assembly on Tuesday snuffed the controversial Wards Equitable Development Bill, 2018.
The fund is supposed to operate like the National Government Constituency Development Fund controlled by MPs.
The Bill proposes that each county allocates at least 15 per cent of the total development budget to the kitty.
The MPs shot the Bill down at its second reading, thwarting hopes of MCAs of taking charge of millions allocated to their wards.
Sponsored by Murang'a Senator Irungu Kang'ata, the Bill received unanimous approval at the Senate.
After MPs scuttled the Bill, it will now be referred to a mediation panel comprising reps from the Senate and National Assembly.
On Thursday, Kang'ata who is also the Senate Majority Whip, said he was disappointed but optimistic a compromise deal would be struck by the mediation committee.
“There is a chance it can be rescued,” Kang'ata said.
The senator, however, urged MCAs to lobby MPs to support the Bill.
“Let us not sit back for things to run on their own motion,” Kang'ata warned.
Had the Bill sailed through the Second Reading-a stage where MPs debated extensively and expressed their views on the proposed law, then it would have been referred to Third Reading.
The Select Committee on NGCDF could have taken charge of adopting any amendments from MPs and other stakeholders before finally tabling it for approval.
The Bill would promote decentralised development through the uniform development kitty allocated to each ward to run specific projects initiated by residents.
The Bill is guided by the principle of equity and the need to ensure people in marginalised areas in the wards access facilities and services that are available to other county residents.
The drafter of the Bill had initially provided that the fund consists of at least eight per cent of the share of annual revenue allocated to a county.
The Senate amended the bill to 15 per cent of the development vote for a county, reducing the fund from at least Sh24 billion to about Sh10 billion annually.
The MCAs had argued that devolution is not trickling down to the grassroots, with resources under the control of governors at the county headquarters.
Through their umbrella body County Assemblies Forum, MCAs have said they will oppose any move to deny them the fund.
Governors have opposed the Bill saying it will give MCAs developmental roles, which is the prerogative of the county executive.
They say the key roles of MCAs are representation, legislation and oversight.
At some point, the Council of Governors outlawed Ward Development Funds that had been created by some counties, especially in the first term.
CoG argued that the kitties were against the law because they were under the supervision of MCAs.
Edited by R.Wamochie