President Uhuru Kenyatta on Wednesday assented to a law that provides for the powers, privileges and immunities of County Assemblies.
The Act which gives effect to Article 196 (3) of the Constitution gives County Assemblies equal status as Parliament where members do not face legal action for what they utter within the designated premises.
The Act outlines the limits of county assemblies and lists the privileges and protections of members including protection of proceedings from court actions.
A member of the public who is unhappy by remarks made in the assembly is permitted to write to the Clerk to have an answer from the person to be recorded and published in a newsletter or record of the county assembly.
The Head of State also assented to another law that sets out the procedure of approval of public appointments by County Assemblies.
According to the Public Appointments (County Assemblies Approval) Act, 2017, an appointment where the approval of the county assemblies is required by law will not be made unless such approval is granted.
The Act also details the criteria to be followed in the vetting process.
Photo caption: Kiambu County Assembly members
Photo/dailynation.co.ke