The County Assembly of Kakamega has gone for a two months recess in accordance with the House Calendar.
On Thursday session presided over by the Speaker, Hon.James Namatsi, members voted to proceed on the recess from
Friday,16th December, 2022 to Monday, 13th February, 2023 when they will resume to continue with the first part of the second session.
This marks the end of the 1st Session of the 3rd County Assembly that saw the House transact a number of businesses.
Some of the key achievements of the first session include: constituting committees' membership, passing of the 1st County Supplementary Budget for the financial year 2022/2023, vetting of County Executive Committee (CEC) members and Chief Officers nominees as well as approval of the fourth and fifth County Assembly Service Board (CASB) members among other transactions.
Since they were sworn to office on 21st September, the Honourable Members have undergone rigorous induction and orientation programs.
They have also undergone several capacity building programs on the operations of committees.
According to the House Speaker, Hon. James Namatsi, the recess will give the members enough time to to take stock of their committees work and prepare for the second session.
Hon. Namatsi says when the county legislators resume in February they will embark on their oversight mandate to check on the programs and projects by the county executive.
During the recess, MCAs strictly work in committees unless they are called for special sittings where they attend plenary sessions.
Ordinarily during recess MCAs do not sit for plenary sessions.
"When we resume in February next year, our priority will be looking at the Auditor General's report for the financial year 2019/2020, Budget making process as well as Members' Bills," stated Hon. Namatsi.
The leader of majority, Hon. Philip Maina while highlighting key achievements by the House in the 1st Session, thanked members for their commitment and encouraged them sponsor private Bills in the second Session.
"We are determined to be among the best 10 County Assemblies countrywide when it comes to performance ranking," Hon.Maina predicted.
He cited the Kakamega County Bodaboda Operations Bill, 2022 by Hon. Doreen Muyonga as a good indicator of more private Bills in the near future.
The Bill, though at its initial stage, seeks to regulate conduct and operations and address socio-economic empowerment of boda boda operators once passed into law.
The House also approved the names of Fourth and Fifth members of the County Assemby Service Board as per Section 12 of the County Governments Act 2012 and Section 47 of the County Assembly Service Act ,2017.
Dr.Harriet Ibala (fourth member) and Mr. Rashid Nasoro (fifth member) from Likuyani and Lurambi Sub - Counties respectively were among the 27 candidates who were interviewed by the Board, which is chaired by the Speaker.
The two members will represent the public interest.
Other members of the Board are : Hon. Boniface Akosi, who represents the minority with his counterpart, Hon. Elphas Shilosio represents the majority side.
Mr.Nasoro Rashid has forty three years of experience in financial management and holds a master of Business Administration finance option from Mt. Kenya University and has extensive knowledge finance and economy while Dr.Harriet Ibala has twenty years of experience in teaching and holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Kiswahili from Moi University.