Uhuru Signs Bill That Puts To An End One Of Kiambu's Perennial Wrangles.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has today signed into law, The County Governments (Amendment) Bill, 2014 that was passed by both Houses of Parliament.  

The Mediated Version designates the physical headquarters for all the 47 counties in the country, putting an end to wrangles over where governors should establish their offices in the devolved units.

The Bill that was sponsored by Kakamega Senator Boni Khalwale in the Senate puts to rest feuds in Kiambu, Laikipia, Tharaka-Nithi and Kirinyaga Counties where governors had clashed with residents over where to locate their offices.

The law has made it difficult to change any headquarters, as it will require the permission of county assemblies, the National Assembly and the Senate. The new law indicates that the county’s headquarters is Kiambu Town.

Initially, Kiambu Governor William Kabogo had moved the headquarters to Thika, but he returned to Kiambu Town after protests.

President Kenyatta revealed that he had signed the Bill among three other proposed laws.

“I have today (Friday) signed into law the National Employment Authority Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 08 of 2015), the Small Claims Court Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 51 of 2015), the Mediated Version of the County Governments (Amendment) Bill (Senate Bill No. 1 of 2014) and the Mediated Version of the National Drought Management Authority Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 42 of 2013),” said the President.

The National Employment Authority Act gives effect to Article 55(c) and 56(b) of the Constitution by providing a legal framework for the State to take affirmative measures to ensure youth and marginalised groups access employment and economic empowerment.

It establishes an Authority that will assume the functions of the National Employment Bureau whose mandate is to maintain a database for all jobless youth to facilitate their employment. This means that the government will now have legal powers to take affirmative measures to ensure youth and marginalised groups access employment and economic empowerment.

The Bill was sponsored in parliament by TNA nominated MP Johnson Sakaja.

When introducing debate to the National Youth Employment Authority Bill, Sakaja said his efforts will demand that hiring authorities like the Public Service Commission first refer to the database before advertising for jobs through the media.

Those aged above 35 will only be considered if the skills and qualifications required are not available in the youth database which will house details of job seekers like the county of origin and ethnicity.

The others are The Small Claims Court Bill, The Mediated Version of the county governments (amendment) Bill and the Mediated Version of the National Drought Management Authority Bill.

The Small Claims Court Act actualizes the provisions of Article 48 and 169 of the Constitution by establishing a Small Claims Court.

The Court so established is meant to expedite resolution of disputes relating to small monetary claims through informal and affordable avenues with adherence to the principals of law and natural justice.

The Mediated Version of the National Drought Management Authority Act anchors into law the National Drought Management Authority.

The Authority is envisaged to be responsible for matters relating to drought preparedness, mitigation and coordinated response to adverse effects throughout the country.