SPEAKER'S RACE: PAUL *KITUNGU UNVEILS NEW ORDER BLUEPRINT* FOR KITUI COUNTY ASSEMBLY

BY _PATRICK KIMANZI/ COUNTY DIARY_

Incoming Kitui County Speaker Hon. Paul Kitungu has outlined his new order blueprint for Kitui County MCAs if he takes the reins of the Assembly.

While observing the doctrine of the separation of powers between the  two arms of the County Government as per the Law,  Kitungu has promised to work towards establishing cordial working relations through cooperation with the Executive for efficient, effective, and timely service delivery to the great people of Kitui and our country Kenya.

He said if elected, he will lead the house to review, with the possibility of  expanding the relevant select committees of the house e.g Commitee on liaison to include external relations. It's duties to include, liaise and establish partnerships with both governmental and non-governmental entities and source for capacity development, study, training and benchmarking opportunities both local and international for the members of the county Assembly.

On media, Kitungu posited that he would also establish a select committee on Communications, media and public relations to coordinate the rules on public access to the county Assembly and it's Committees(part XXV of SOs) and broadcasting of county proceedings (first schedule), events and activities to increase visibility of the activities of the county Assembly both locally and nationally.

On inclusion, he said he plans to move the County Assembly Procedure and Rules Committee to carry out the necessary amendments to the standing orders to offer equal opportunities to the elected members to be elected to the house committees whether in Majority party, Minority, smaller parties or independents. 

On devolving County Assembly activities closer to the electorate, Kitungu would expendite the finalization and implementation of the bill on "Bunge Mashinani" to afford members to be heard by the electorate from the regions or wards and afford an education opportunity to our school children besides promoting Members by setting aside sufficient airtime to address the house on key issues affecting their areas of representation.

Speaking to TCD, Hon Paul Kitungu said that he would enhance the capability of members by offering a conducive working environment that enables them to effectively deliver their constitutional mandate of representation, legislation and oversight to the electorate.

Last but not the least, Kitungu's new order of operation will also consider  enhancing communication by expediting the process of the procuring of office spaces for the members at the seat of the Assembly(Kitui town) and the Chambers in Mwingi town and consider procuring and issuing laptops for the members to facilitate them to work on the go.

Ends