The National Chiefs Forum Welfare (NCFW) led by their National Chairman; Senior Principal Chief Walter Obuchele has asked the National Assembly to review the existing laws to officially recognize them as part of the established security organ.
Speaking during a meeting with the Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetang’ula the officials presented various requests, including seeking the Speaker’s support for the upcoming review of legislation related to their mandate and the enhancement of their monthly operational facilitation.
“We have identified you as our strategic partner in advancing our administrative and welfare agenda. We request your support for the upcoming countrywide sensitization exercise for Chiefs and Assistant Chiefs to be held in July 2024,” said Chief Obuchele.
He explained that this exercise aims to inform them about the welfare check-off system and ways to manage welfare matters.
Obuchele said that the chiefs meet various challenges in their daily work in solving local emerging issues that need government’s support.
The chiefs indicated that its core mandate is to address welfare matters, network, share work-related challenges, and exchange ideas.
Wetang’ula Commends Chiefs
Speaker Wetang’ula acknowledged their requests and commended the Chiefs for their steadfast service delivery.
“Yours truly salutes the critical security role played by Chiefs and elders in society, I assure you of my support on legislative matters affecting the effectiveness and delivery of your work,” Wetang’ula said.
Wetang’ula urged the leaders to continuously offer efficient and effective services at the grassroots level to maintain law and order and safeguard the social fabric and environment, which has been significantly impacted by human activities.
He urged Chiefs, their assistants, and village elders to serve the government effectively at the grassroots level.
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MPs Plea to Govt
The Members of Parliament (MPs) also praised the chiefs for the services they have rendered to various communities.
Kisumu West MP Rozaah Buyu called for the government to ensure that their places of work are hospitable because that is where they perform their role of meeting and working for the people.
“We know that the Chiefs are our first point of contact with the Government, and they are doing a tremendous job,” she said.
Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse on his part informed the Chiefs that House was aware of the huge workload that they faced and was committed to ensuring that they get the assistance that they required.
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“We as a House are keen to ensure that there is a legal framework to recognize the village elders and managers who assist you in your work at the grassroots. The government is adequately resourced to remunerate those helpers so that going forward the chiefs will no longer have to use their own resources to do government work,”mutase said.
Eldama Ravine MP Moses Sirma called on the government to reinstate security for the Chiefs stating that their role of defending the public puts them at risk of attacks by criminals.
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