County Assemblies Forum chairman Nuh Abdi addresses MCAs in the past.
MCAs and Speakers of county assemblies want the date of the next General
Election moved to March 2018, their representatives have told a
parliamentary committee on electoral reforms. FILE PHOTO | JEFF ANGOTE |
NATION MEDIA GROUP
Members of county assemblies (MCAs) and their Speakers want the
date of the next General Election moved to March 2018, their
representatives have told a parliamentary committee on electoral
reforms.
Speaking under the banner of the County Assemblies Forum, they said their arguments are based on their interpretation of the Constitution.
Stephen Ngelu, who spoke on their behalf, said this was also the basis of the case they have filed in court.
"We all agree there is a conflict in the Constitution between the terms of the MCAs and other elected leaders. It is why the county assemblies have gone to court," said Mr Ngelu.
He, however, came under fire from lawmakers, who argued that their interpretation of the Constitution is misleading and accused them of being selfish.
"I'm reading a lot of selfishness in their presentation. It's like they have come here to bid for their term to last five years," said Junet Mohamed (Suna East, ODM).
ANXIETY ON ELECTIONS DATE
Moses Kuria (Gatundu South, TNA) said he was aware that there is a lot of anxiety among MCAs about the date of the next elections.
"Let me assure you that as sure as day follows night, the next elections will be on August 8, 2017," said Mr Kuria.
Mutula Kilonzo Jr (Makueni, Wiper) said that as per the Supreme Court's ruling in December 2012 regarding the date of the election, people elected in 2013 were put on notice that their term would not be the full five years.
The committee's co-chairmen, senators Kiraitu Murungi and James Orengo, also pointed out sections of the Constitution they said the MCAs had ignored in putting forward their arguments.
Mr Ngelu, however, said he wouldn't dwell too long on matters that are still in court.
"Personal interest is human," he said in response to the accusations of selfishness.
He said the MCAs would also need to make payments on their car loans and mortgages, which are pegged to a five-year term.
Mr Ngelu said the MCAs and county assembly Speakers would abide by the court ruling and insisted there would still not be enough time for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to prepare for the next elections.
Speaking under the banner of the County Assemblies Forum, they said their arguments are based on their interpretation of the Constitution.
Stephen Ngelu, who spoke on their behalf, said this was also the basis of the case they have filed in court.
"We all agree there is a conflict in the Constitution between the terms of the MCAs and other elected leaders. It is why the county assemblies have gone to court," said Mr Ngelu.
He, however, came under fire from lawmakers, who argued that their interpretation of the Constitution is misleading and accused them of being selfish.
"I'm reading a lot of selfishness in their presentation. It's like they have come here to bid for their term to last five years," said Junet Mohamed (Suna East, ODM).
ANXIETY ON ELECTIONS DATE
Moses Kuria (Gatundu South, TNA) said he was aware that there is a lot of anxiety among MCAs about the date of the next elections.
"Let me assure you that as sure as day follows night, the next elections will be on August 8, 2017," said Mr Kuria.
Mutula Kilonzo Jr (Makueni, Wiper) said that as per the Supreme Court's ruling in December 2012 regarding the date of the election, people elected in 2013 were put on notice that their term would not be the full five years.
The committee's co-chairmen, senators Kiraitu Murungi and James Orengo, also pointed out sections of the Constitution they said the MCAs had ignored in putting forward their arguments.
Mr Ngelu, however, said he wouldn't dwell too long on matters that are still in court.
"Personal interest is human," he said in response to the accusations of selfishness.
He said the MCAs would also need to make payments on their car loans and mortgages, which are pegged to a five-year term.
Mr Ngelu said the MCAs and county assembly Speakers would abide by the court ruling and insisted there would still not be enough time for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to prepare for the next elections.
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