West Pokot County assembly has launched “Bunge Mashinani” forum that will be conducted in 60 different places across the County every month until 2022. The County assembly proceedings will now go closer to the people in the villages away from the assembly chambers where the needs of specific regions get voiced and allow members of the public to be given an opportunity to express their experience in the forum thus enhancing Mwananchi participation in legislative processes.
The first forum was launched at Chepareria town, Pokot South Sub County last week and it brought together all the members of County assembly, area governor, senator, the executive and the public.
West Pokot county assembly erected a temporary structure in the town chaired by speaker Catherine Mukeyang and Clerk Julius Ariwomoi as they debated on a number of bills.
The speaker’s platform, the executive, the floor of the house and the public gallery was set as members of the public who had never seen the set up of parliament got a chance to view it.
The MCAs debated a number of motions which were passed at the floor of the house.
A motion to upgrade Chepareria town as a model town in the County was tabled by Chepareria ward representative Isaiah Lokomol where the MCAs debated and unanimously passed the motion.
Speaker Mrs. Catherine Mukenya’ng said they agreed to devolve the County assembly proceedings to the grassroots level and gazette three places in 20 wards for Bunge la Mashinani for 5 years.
“It’s a historical event because it’s the 1stassembly that comes close to the people, we want the voters to have a closer experience with their leaders, it’s also another way of making sure the MCAs are put on task to deliver,” she said.
She said they spent KSh 100,000 for the whole function, which catered for lunches, hiring tents, chairs and fuel.
She added that the County Assembly will have another forum before they go for recess this year citing that the theme of the occasion was “bunge lako mlangoni.”
She however dismissed the opposition’s allegations that the MCAs want to syphon public funds by creating such forums citing that its normal business of the house and it wasn’t about wasting taxpayers’ money.
“The County government needs to devolve more services closer to the people, the forum was good for public participation and we have received positive comments from the people,” she added.
Next week the assembly session will take place at Kamla in Kiwawa ward, Pokot North Sub County.
