County Assemblies Today-Kakamega County Assembly
The emergence of Corona Virus disease has adversely affected how legislatures across the world conduct business. Kenya has not been an exception since Legislatures at both National and County levels had to invent innovative ways to enable them perform their constitutional mandates.
Kakamega County Assembly developed guidelines that gave room for fewer members to attend plenary sessions with the advisory providing for only thirty Members at a time but on rotational basis in the chamber. To allow full representation of the electorates, the Assembly has mounted screens outside the chambers where members who are not physically present can follow proceedings of the house.
Additionally, the Assembly passed the 2020/21 FY budget estimates applying the aforementioned guidelines. In order to comply with the constitutional threshold of public participation on the same, the Assembly conducted public participation virtually and through the existing online platforms.
With regard to the Committee sittings, the Assembly has embraced technology whereby virtual platforms; Zoom and WhatsApp have been used in line with the MOH guidelines of cessation of gatherings and social distancing. While there have been challenges with internet connectivity and poor mobile phone network; members have always strive to realize their goal of the meeting through conference calls where need has arisen.
Keep updated by following the Assembly on http://kakamega-assembly.go.ke/
Photo credits -Gilbert Ongachi.