MCAs' Looming Strike

Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) from across the country have threatened to go on strike, shut down county assemblies, and march to State House on Monday if their complaints are not addressed.

Speaking at the County Assemblies Forum held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), the ward representatives expressed frustration over their financial struggles, arguing that their pay and funding do not reflect the crucial role they play in county government.

The ward representatives claim that although they oversee governors and ensure accountability, their salaries are significantly lower than those of the officials they monitor.

"If these demands are not met, from Monday next week, we will paralyze all assemblies," said Makueni MCA Kalunda Wa Kalunda.

"MCAs are told to oversight a governor who is earning a million, while they are paid only Ksh86,000," added Naivasha East MCA Stanley Karanja.

Tensions also ran high during the meeting when MCAs from Kakamega and Nairobi clashed, accusing Nairobi County Assembly Majority Leader Peter Imwatok of not allowing them to air their grievances. Senator Sifuna had to intervene to restore order.

The MCAs' planned protest comes ahead of a scheduled meeting with President William Ruto next month during the County Assemblies Forum summit. However, if their demands are not addressed before then, they insist they will take to the streets on Monday.