Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) have been urged to formulate laws customised for county needs to help streamline development.
Kenya Law Reforms Commission (KLRC) Vice Chairman Doreen Muthaura said laws enacted at counties should be effective and conforms to needs of the people.
Muthaura said that MCAs are the lawmakers at the county level and must ensure that the laws they make transform the lives of the people.
She said that devolution will be successful if ward representatives make appropriate laws and policies in the county.
Muthaura urged county governments to premise their laws alongside their development structures. She said that governors are relying on MCAs to advance the county development agenda at the grass root level through good laws.
Speaking on Monday during the revision of County Model Laws in Kisumu, she asked the MCAs to support the county development agenda by ending the wrangles.
“The ward representatives interact with the people on a daily basis and it will be of help if they help the county government to provide services," Muthaura said.
She said that the county has channelled resources to sub-counties and wards and MCAs must work with ward administrators and ensure that the resources are used wisely.
Muthaura disclosed that they will capacity build MCAs in the 47 counties to enhance their legislation roles. She said that one of the major challenges facing the county assemblies is shortage of policy drafters.
“We need to train ward representatives on how best they can draft policies and laws aimed at spearheading devolution,” she said.
KLRCH Chief Executive Officer Joash Dache said that development of counties requires the support of every county leader.
He said that leadership is inclusive and all elected leaders should seek the views of every leader in relation to development at county levels.
Dache urged leaders to put their differences aside and focus on working for their electorates.
He also challenged governors to work with all MCAs to spur development through proper consultation.
“Our counties will go far in terms of development if leaders unite and work together,” Dache said.
Nyandarua county assembly speaker Wahome Ndegwa urged MCAs to embrace county model laws to enhance legislative roles.