Siaya County MCAs have been accused of posing a significant threat to both service delivery and participatory governance.

Various Civil Society Organizations in the county argue that instead of fulfilling their oversight responsibilities, the MCAs have taken on roles typically assigned to the county, resulting in compromised service delivery.

Hillary Omondi from Siaya Muungano Network, expressed concern over the County Assembly’s interference with the budget, saying; “They have allocated funds for development projects that should fall under the purview of the executive branch. This includes the allocation of substantial amounts, exceeding Ksh. 430 million, for initiative such as constructing ward offices, community halls, and drilling boreholes.”

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Another group, Community Initiative Action Group (CIAG-Kenya) also emphasized the need to reevaluate the role of MCAs in Siaya County to improve service delivery and enhance participatory governance. The allocation of Ksh. 189 million for development projects in the County Assembly’s current budget estimates for 2023/2024 raises concerns since these projects should ideally be the responsibility of the executive branch.

Members of the Siaya Civil Society Organizations Network, speaking collectively as civil rights activists, also voiced their interest in ensuring that MCAs are involved in determining projects at the ward level and selecting contractors for various development projects.

Vincent Obondo, representing the Institute for Law and Environmental Governance (ILEG), called upon the Siaya County Government to uphold good governance by adhering to legal boundaries and operating within the confines of the law.