Nyamira County Assembly Speaker Joash Nyamoko now wants the executive -both national and county governments- to come up with legislation through Parliament to protect the intended austerity measures to reduce spending.
The national government through President Uhuru Kenyatta made a plea to Governors to consider reducing the budget meant for foreign travels by MCAs among other minor functions to reduce spending.
But Mr Nyamoko on Monday said implementation of the directive will be cumbersome if it will not be protected by the law.
“I support reduction in spending at both levels of government but that can only be achieved if legislation is set so that it regulates the whole plan. It will be very difficult to realise the idea if it’s not properly covered by law otherwise it would be just usual rhetoric,” he said.
The speaker also said the move will be detrimental for county speakers and Governors since it may attract witch-hunt from MCAs who are in charge of oversight and legislation at the county level.
“I am really concerned because as a leader of the assembly, all the accusations will be directed towards me by MCAs and even the Governors. This will again invite a duel that would see a series of political witch hunts in the county units. If the austerity measures regulations are passed by them (Assembly and parliament), it would be very easy for us to implement them,” he added.
He expressed optimism that the austerity measures if implemented, would led to more resources diverted to development projects at the grassroots.