Kirinyaga County Assembly Speaker, Mr. Muteti Murimi, has revealed that the Assembly has six bills ready to be debated in the current sitting session.
Speaking to the press, Muteti said that 2023 was a successful year where, in the first and second sessions, MCAs were able to debate and pass 67 motions touching on various departments in the county executive, as well as pass and enact six bills into law.
Muteti explained that the bills were enacted after being subjected to the constitutional process of publication, first hearing and public participation, second hearing, third hearing, and the final stage of being signed into law by the county governor.
Speaker Muteti disclosed that the bills expected to be discussed included the Kirinyaga County Disability Bill 2023, the Kirinyaga County Alcoholic Drinks Control Bill 2023, the Kirinyaga County Public Participation Bill 2023, the Kirinyaga County Empowerment and Development Bill 2023, the Kirinyaga County Transport and Parking Bill 2023, and the Kirinyaga County Agricultural, Technical, and Vocational Training Bill 2023.
Speaker Muteti gave an example of what is contained in the Facility Improvement Fund Bill of 2023, which is a bill that will give autonomy to health facilities to be able to manage challenges faced in the health sector. The bill ensures that any funds collected from health services will only be utilised for health purposes and will be able to curb different challenges, e.g., shortages of medicine in different health facilities.
Kirinyaga Inspection and Enforcement Services Bill 2023, on the other hand, is a bill seeking to ensure that there is compliance with the county laws and regulations.
He added that they were in the process of bringing a bill to have a full office of the County Attorney with a County Solicitor and a Prosecutor to boost inspection services in the county.
The Kirinyaga Industrial Development Authority Bill of 2023 will create a board that will be responsible for mobilising investment in Kirinyaga County, specifically the Industrial Park that has been established in Sagana with an area of 274 acres.
The board will have a role in identifying investors, especially those focused on agro-processing, to create a market for the local producers and create employment for the youth.
The Kirinyaga Appropriation Bill of 2023 provides budget estimates on government expenditures, while the Kirinyaga Climate Change Bill of 2023 addresses the matter of climate change in line with mobilising resources.
Harrison Kariuki, a nominated Member of the County Assembly from Karumadi Ward representing people with disabilities, said he appreciated the Kirinyaga County Assembly for introducing the Kirinyaga County Disability Bill 2023, which he says is a milestone for people living with disabilities.
He added that since he joined the County Assembly, there have been some steps taken to protect people living with disabilities.
He divulged that he had mobilised people with disabilities to register for the disability card, which has a lot of benefits and is also used as an identification card.
“The card helps us access bursaries and get tenders, and it also helps one import products cheaper without added cost, unlike others who don’t have the card,” he said.
Kariuki also pleaded that people with disabilities be allocated more money in their bursaries since they have more needs.
Speaker Muteti mentioned good working relations with the executive and public as the main cause of the achievements they have been able to make for the last year and a half.
By David Wandeto and Sarah N. Wachira
