New law protects MCAs from ‘court action’

President Uhuru Kenyatta has assented to the County Assemblies Powers and Privileges Bill that gives Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) immunity from court action over assembly proceedings similar to Members of Parliament.

The law gives County Assemblies the same status as Parliament where members do not face legal action for what they utter within the designated premises.

The Act defines the precincts of County Assemblies and lists the privileges and immunities of members including protection of proceedings from court actions.

According to the law, a member of the public who is aggrieved by comments made in the Assembly is allowed to write to the Clerk to have a response.

The President also assented to the Public Appointments (County Assemblies Approval) Act, 2017 that lays out the procedure of approval of public appointments by County Assemblies.