Nakuru County Assembly Speaker Susan Kihika has called on county residents, church leaders and pressure groups to make a habit of attending house proceedings.
Kihika said that it was saddening to see the empty public gallery every time the house is in session and called on residents to utilise their constitutional right by attending public proceedings.
Speaking in her office on Tuesday, Kihika added that the absence of members of the public from the public gallery often makes the house members reluctant in performing their legislative and oversight duties.
“When MCAs see members of the public in the gallery they become more active and more keen not to make mistakes and they become active in the house because they know they are being watched and monitored,” said Kihika.
She challenged pressure groups whom she said have been complaining about the performance of the County Assembly to be attending house proceedings and see how the house works.
“Civil Societies will always be quick to criticise the house but very few of them have ever set foot in the Assembly. Let them come and be with us in the house so that they can have a basis and facts to use when attacking or criticising us,” challenged Kihika.
Sh was reacting to allegations made by Civil Society Groups in the county which had accused the County Assembly of ignoring public input and opinion when passing important bills.