The Kwale County Assembly during a past session. Most ward representative aspirants in Kwale struggle to explain what their roles will be if elected. [Photo/ the-star.co.ke]
Most MCA aspirants in Kwale don’t understand roles of ward representatives a lobby group in Kwale County has said.
Citizens Assembly, a lobby group based in the Coastal county said on Friday most ward representative aspirants struggle to explain what their roles will be if elected.MCAs are the elected leaders closest to the common Kenyan and play a critical role in development since they interact with locals most times.Citizens Assembly executive director Mahmud Bare said it was shocking that the aspirants want to lead ignorant of their roles as people’s representatives.The new Constitution that was promulgated in 2010 created the position of Member of the County Assembly because proponents of the new law said MPs spend most time in Nairobi ignoring people at the grassroots.The new Constitution provides for public participation where Kenyans propose which development projects should be implemented where depending on their needs.At a public dialogue held in Ramisi, Mwatate, Mahmud said some MCA aspirants could not highlight even one role of ward representatives.He said it was high time Kenyans scrutinize aspirants before electing them into office in August. This, he said, will bar incompetent candidates from being elected.“Most MCA aspirants who attended the dialogue could not clearly explain their roles if elected,” Mahmud said.MCAs currently earn Sh165,000 gross salary with Sh124,800 monthly seating allowance after every thirty days. The allowances are paid for attending County Assembly plenary sessions and Committee meetings.