Why Kenyans must not gamble on Elections of MCA and Governor in 2022

BY: JUMA HEMEDI MWANIKI

3/01/2022

On 10th June 2008, retired President Mwai Kibaki launched Kenya’s vision 2030, the aim was to transform Kenya into a newly industrializing middle- income country. Providing high quality of life to all its citizens by the year 2030 in a clean and secure environment. 

The framers of the vision identified Three key pillars to the success of the vision; Social, Economic and Political pillars. They recognized then, that the success of the social and economic development of the country will greatly depend on how we organize our politics.

The spirit of the importance of the political pillar, was captured in vision 2030 in the following statement;

“a democratic political system that is issue based, people-centered, results oriented and accountable to the public…… Kenya will be a country in which equality is entrenched irrespective of one’s race, ethnicity, religion, gender or social-economic status……...The vision aims to move all Kenyans to the future as one Nation.”

The beauty of our political system is that we get an opportunity to change our leaders every five years. This year Kenyans will be going to the polls to elect six representatives; President, Members of National assembly, Senators, Governors, Women Representatives and Members of County Assemblies (MCAs).

Kenyans must search their souls, interrogate and take keen interest in those vying for the positions of National Assembly, Senate, Governor and MCAs. These are the people that we must thoroughly interview, and it’s because their actions or lack of, will have a direct effect in our lives as a people. Today I will discuss on the Governor and MCAs.

GOVERNOR

Article one of our constitution give power to Kenyans to either exercise it directly or through their elected representatives. It also donates and delegates this power to two levels of Government; at the National level and at the County level. 

Chapter eleven of the constitution outlines the objects and principles of devolved governments and also gives life to the county government act. County governments are headed by Governors who are elected directly by the people in their respective counties.

Kenyans must interrogate the people vying for these positions thoroughly, in terms of their capacity, capabilities, temperament, professional background, previous records, development agenda, inclusivity, team work, accountability, issue-based policies, ability to bring about unity, promote good governance, democracy, cohesion, enhancement of checks and balances and the separation of powers. These people must also be able bring out and implement the objects and principles of devolution.

Governors exercise executive powers and are responsible for appointment of county executives; in return the executive helps the governor in formulating social and economic policies and bills, regulations and structuring of levies and provisions of public services such as healthcare, transport, water, and markets places. They also are responsible for setting priority of county projects and preparation of county budgets and development plans. 

Kenyans must not just look for any pretender or joker out there who can move a crowd and create showbiz. This is someone who will be in-charge of Billions of shilling of their tax resources. This is someone who will determine what infrastructure projects to implement or give priority to. And whether good policies will be passed to ensure water supply or supply of critical drugs and facilities in the public hospitals.

Kenyans must also not be blinded by party politics and selections. History has evidence of bad leaders who came through popular parties, some that were impeached before their time. Kenya also has examples of areas where residents went against popular parties and elected progressive leadership with either small parties or as independent candidates. We must interrogate the characters of the individuals we elect into offices of Governors.

MCAs

The County Government act of 2012 outlines and gives the roles of a member of county assembly. 

Part III (9) on the roles of members of county assembly states;

(1) A member of a county assembly shall—

 (a) maintain close contact with the electorate and consult them on issues before or under discussion in the county assembly;

 (b) present views, opinions and proposals of the electorate to the county assembly;

 (c) attend sessions of the county assembly and its committees;

 (d) provide a linkage between the county assembly and the electorate on public service delivery; and

 (e) extend professional knowledge, experience or specialized knowledge to any issue for discussion in the county assembly.

When deciding to either to elect or re-elect your MCA Kenyans should be guided by among others the above criteria and especially professional or specialized knowledge. MCAs have a legislative and oversight role over the county executive and the person must be someone who is adequately knowledgeable on policies, procedures, representation, negotiation and lobbying, critical analysis of documents and information, objectivity, good temperament and an individual who is schooled. 

MCAs are responsible for passing county budgets and county development plans, they will be responsible for vetting county CECs, Chief officers, County Public service boards and have been conferred with judicial powers of the high court in their assemblies’ committee roles and resolutions. 

They have the powers to impeach and censure governors and any member of the county executive, and the powers to summon anybody in the agencies of the county government to appear before them. They must be individuals with the correct characters of maturity and with a passion for community interest and their policies must be people-centered.

Over the next few months and over the last few months many individuals have shown and will show interest in these two positions in different counties and wards, but only 1,450 of all MCA aspirants will be elected and only 47 Governors will be given an opportunity to lead and govern their counties.

 

Kenyans must be purposeful and sincerely sober in who we give this delicate yet important role of making decisions on our behalf, legislating and representing us in the positions of Governors and MCAs. 

Kenyans must find individuals who were defined in the vision 2030, those that are “issue based, people-centered, results oriented and accountable to the public”.

JUMA HEMEDI MWANIKI

MP Thika Town Constituency- 2022