Tharaka Nithi County Assembly has managed to successfully come up with several legislations despite the Covid-19 pandemic that has immensely disrupted its calendar this year.
Speaker David Mbaya said the current Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) have completely legislated eight critical bills and 28 others are at various stages.
Speaking in Chuka town, he said the MCAs have continuously dedicated themselves to deliver to the public despite the health-threatening times occasioned by the global pandemic.
The completed legislations include the Tharaka Nithi County Health Rights Bill of 2020, Tharaka Nithi County Alcoholic Drinks Control Amendment Bill of 2020, Tharaka Nithi County Climate Change Fund Bill of 2020 and Tharaka Nithi County People Living with Disabilities Bill of 2019.
Others are; Tharaka Nithi County Tea Bill of 2020, Tharaka Nithi County Investment and Corporation Bill of 2019, Tharaka Nithi County Emergency (Amendment) Bill of 2018 and Tharaka Nithi County Bursaries (Amendment) Bill of 2018.
The Speaker noted that the members of the public have been reluctant in participating in the legislation process even when offered an opportunity to give their input, especially during public participation exercises.
He said public participation is critical in any democratic country and is also a constitutional right of Kenyans.
“Very few people actively participate in the legislations process despite being their constitutional right” said Speaker Mbaya.
He said in the wake of Covid-19 when the Ministry of Health has suspended public gatherings, the residents can visit the County Assembly website (http://tharakanithica.go.ke/) and give their views.
Mr Mbaya noted that all the legislations are available on the website for the members of the public to peruse.
He further noted that the county had several interest groups including the youths, women, civil societies, people living with disabilities, NGOs and the chamber of commerce among others but only raise concerns when the laws are in the implementation stage.
Mr Mbaya said the target of the assembly is to ensure that all the laws which are in the pipeline are fully legislated by 2022 for the benefit of the residents.
