Thursday, 17 April, 2025
SOCATT-K pushes for legal recognition in Intergovernmental Relations Amendment Bill๐๐ฎ๐ง๐ ๐ ๐๐จ๐ฐ๐๐ซ ๐๐ฎ๐๐ฌ๐๐๐ฒ, ๐๐๐ญ๐ก ๐๐ฉ๐ซ๐ข๐ฅ, ๐๐๐๐
The National Assembly Committee on Regional Development led by its chairman Hon. Lochakapong on Tuesday received a compelling presentation from the Society of Clerks-at-the-TableโKenya (SOCATT-K), seeking its formal recognition under the Intergovernmental Relations (Amendment) Bill, 2024.
Leading the presentation was SOCATT-K Chairman, Mr. Kamau Aidi, who also serves as the Clerk of the Kirinyaga County Assembly.
In his address, Mr. Aidi made the case for the Society to be anchored in law as a statutory intergovernmental institution, highlighting its role in promoting professionalism, ethical conduct, and coordinated legislative practices across all 47 County Assemblies.
โThe Society plays a vital role in harmonizing legislative procedures, upholding ethical standards, and representing County Assembly staff in intergovernmental spaces. Giving it legal standing will strengthen its ability to serve effectively and consistently,โ Mr. Aidi told the committee.
If the proposed amendment is adopted, SOCATT-K would be officially recognized as the umbrella body for all officers serving in County Assemblies.
According to Mr. Aidi, being in cooperated will play a critical role in Standardizing parliamentary practices across counties, advancing staff welfare through professional training and ethical development, Representing County Assembly Services in discussions with national government bodies, constitutional commissions, and development partners and partnering with both local and international public service institutions.
The legislation also proposes that the Society would be supported by a dedicated Secretariat led by a Chief Executive Officer.
To further boost its operational capacity, SOCATT-K would be allowed to request secondments from County Assembly Service Boards.
In terms of funding, SOCATT-K would draw its resources from annual contributions by County Assemblies, parliamentary budget allocations, and grants or donations from development partners.
The bill also proposes that all assets, liabilities, and staff currently serving the Society be retained under the new legal framework.
However, the presentation was met with a critical question from Committee Members and Chair Hon. Lochakapong, who raised concerns about potential overlap with the existing County Assemblies Forum (CAF).
โThis is an association of technical staff in County Assemblies, yet we already have CAF, which brings together Speakers and MCAs. You claim CAF doesnโt adequately support staff welfare, wonโt that lead to a clash between the two?โ he asked.
Mr. Aidi clarified that SOCATT-Kโs focus is purely technical and non-political, unlike CAF, which primarily engages elected officials.
He emphasized that the Societyโs mission is rooted in staff welfare, professional development, and administrative excellence areas not currently prioritized by CAF.
He also suggested that opening membership to staff from the National Assembly and Senate could foster deeper collaboration across all legislative institutions, enriching the countryโs broader governance ecosystem.
As the Committee reviews the proposals, stakeholders are hopeful that SOCATT-K will soon gain the legal recognition it seeks, a move they believe would mark a new chapter in strengthening Kenyaโs devolved legislative structures.