ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COUNTY ASSEMBLY & COUNTY ASSEMBLIES FORUM

ESTABLISHMENT

ESTABLISHMENT OF COUNTY ASSEMBLIES FORUM

The County Assemblies Forum (CAF) was formed in 2013, as an expansion of its predecessor, the County Assemblies Speakers’ Forum (CASF). Registered under the Societies Act, CAF is the coordinating body of the 47 county assemblies in Kenya. The core mandate of CAF is to promote networking and synergy amongst the county assemblies, coordinate intergovernmental relations and enhance good practice in legislative development. It also seeks to institutionalize law-making and oversight capacity of the County Assemblies and to form linkages with other Arms of Government.

Clusters of the County Assemblies Forum

In addition, for ease of interaction and to enable regular meetings among its members, CAF divided the 47 County Assemblies of the Republic of Kenya into eight administrative clusters:

  1. North Rift: Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Elgeyo Marakwet, Turkana, West Pokot, Baringo,
  2. South Rift: Nakuru, Kericho, Bomet, Laikipia, Narok, Kajiado, Samburu.
  3. Central: Kiambu, Murang’a, Nyeri, Nyandarua, Kirinyaga.
  4. Eastern: Meru, Kitui, Makueni, Isiolo, Machakos, Tharaka Nithi, Embu, Marsabit.
  5. Nyanza: Kisumu, Migori, Siaya, Homa Bay, Kisii, Nyamira.
  6. Western: Vihiga, Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia, Transnzoia
  7. North Eastern: Mandela, Wajir, Garissa, Nairobi.
  8. Coast: Mombasa, Kilifi, Kwale, Lamu, Tana River, Taita Taveta.

Chapters of the County Assemblies Forum

The platform to discuss matters of mutual concern will continue to be provided to different interest groups through the Chapters of CAF. the chapters facilitate the process of peer-to-peer learning and sharing amongst County Assemblies. they include:
a) A chapter for all County Assembly Speakers
b) A chapter for all County Assembly Deputy Speakers
c) A chapter for all leaders of Majority Parties in the County Assemblies
d) A chapter for all leaders of Minority Parties in the County Assemblies
e) A chapter for all Majority Whips in the County Assemblies
f) A chapter for all Minority Whips in the County Assemblies
g) A chapter for all Women Members of County Assemblies
h) A chapter for all Youth Members of the County Assemblies
i) A chapter for all Members with Disability in County Assemblies
j) A chapter for all Clerks of the County Assemblies
k) A chapter for Sports and Cultural Activities which shall coordinate the participation of County Assemblies in Sports Activities

 

 

 

ESTABLISHMENT AND ROLES OF COUNTY ASSEMBLIES

The County Governments
The Constitution of Kenya, 2010 fundamentally changed the system of Government by devolving power responsibilities and financial resources to the (47) Counties of Kenya, which were conceived as units of devolved Government. Article 179(1) of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010 provides that there shall be a Government for each County consisting of:

  1. County Assembly, responsible for developing law and policy.
  2. County Executive, responsible for implementing developed laws and policies, in conjunction
    with government administrative duties.

County Assemblies are established under Article 176 (1) of the Constitution which provides that: - “There shall be a County Government for each county, consisting of a County Assembly and a County Executive.”

Roles of County Assemblies

The role of the County Assembly in Kenya is largely concerned with legislation. The County Assembly in Kenya is the law-making organ of the County Government. It is one of the state organs that the Constitution delegates power. 47 County Assemblies in Kenya are unique to each of the 47 counties. The roles of the County Assembly are enshrined in the constitution under Article 185 of the Constitution which provides that: -

  1. The Legislative Authority of a County is vested in, and exercised by its County Assembly.
  2. A County Assembly may make any laws that are necessary for, or incidental to, the effective performance of the functions and exercise of the powers of the county government under the Fourth Schedule.
  3. A County Assembly, while respecting the principle of the separation of powers, may exercise oversight over the County Executive Committee and any other County Executive Organs.
  4. A County Assembly may receive and approve plans and policies for--
      (a) the management and exploitation of the County’s resources; and
    5. (b) the development and management of its infrastructure and institutions.”

Further, Section 8(1) of the County Government Act provides additional roles of the County Assembly as follows:-

  1. The County Assembly shall—
      a) vet and approve nominees for appointment to county public offices as may be provided for in this Act or any other law;
    2. b) perform the roles set out under Article 185 of the Constitution;
    3. c) approve the budget and expenditure of the County Government in accordance with Article 207 of the Constitution, and the legislation contemplated in Article 220(2) of the Constitution, guided by Articles 201 and 203 of the Constitution;
    4. d) approve the borrowing by the County Government in accordance with Article 212 of the Constitution;
    5. e) approve county development planning; and
    6. f) perform any other role as may be set out under the Constitution or legislation.”

 

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