The Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations chaired by Wajir Senator Mohammed Abbas has raised concerns on the proposal regarding the construction of social halls, specifically questioning whether the funding responsibility should fall on the National government or the County government.

The proposal is contained in the County Oversight and Accountability Bill, 2024 which is co-sponsored by Senator Ledama Ole Kina and Senator William Kisang.

The committee instead is proposing an amendment to the Bill that will see offices for the Member of County Assembly and the Senator hosted in the social halls to be constructed.

“As a Senator I have no office in Kisii County. In the process of constructing the proposed social halls, we should include office space for the Senator and MCAs,” said Senator Richard Onyonka during the public hearing on the Bill.

Section 2 of the Bill gives county governments the power to construct public halls in wards where no public halls exist or where the halls are inadequate to carry out public participation.

The Bill further mandates the counties to renovate, remodel, maintain and repair of public halls and other related facilities in wards that are in urgent need of such renovation or repair.

In determining whether an infrastructural development or renovation programme should be undertaken in relation to a public participation facility, the Bill obligates the county to take into account the repairs to, or replacement of, the facilities is required within a reasonably short period, the state of the facility and the need for maintenance or repairs be undertaken to avoid endangering the welfare of persons using the facility.

Hon. Kevin Kinengo, the Speaker of Kitui County Assembly, proposed that the Senate introduce a bill to establish a law identifying corrupt members of the county assembly. He also suggested that county supplementary budgets should not be handled solely by MCAs but should include public participation to ensure that citizens understand the importance of the supplementary budget.

Given the complexity of the issues discussed, the chair of the committee asked the team to organize another meeting in two weeks. This meeting will involve the Council of Governors, the County Assemblies Forum (CAF), and the Association of Members of County Assemblies (AMCA) to discuss the bill in detail and ensure it is beneficial and user-friendly for the public.