Adul seeks re-election on account of her achievements as the Speaker.

 Kisumu County Assembly Speaker Ann Adul.She seeks re-election on account of her achievements during her tenure in the first Assembly of Kisumu County-File Photo.

By Dickson Odhiambo.

August 30, 2017.

Adul seeks re-election on account of her achievements as the Speaker.

KISUMU County Assembly Speaker Ann Adul has said she will defend her seat as the Speaker when the Assembly convenes.

Adul says her record during her tenure as the speaker speaks for itself hence this makes her to seek a re-election.

In an exclusive interview with journalists in her office at the precincts of the Kisumu County Assembly, Adul lists 12 achievements during her tenure as the speaker during the first Assembly of Kisumu County.

She says during her tenure as the Speaker in 2014, Kisumu County Assembly was ranked third after Nairobi and Nakuru for having passed 15 pieces of Legislation.

Adul says she managed to successfully spearhead the first model legislation for people with disability private members motion that has now been adopted by all the other Counties Assemblies countrywide, adding that this motion was presented to the County Assembly by nominated MCA Caroline Agwanda who represented the interests of persons with disabilities.

Adul says she has been part of the team of County Assembly Speakers across the country that successfully negotiated members’ remuneration package including car loan and mortgage scheme with Salaries and Remuneration Commission. 

“I am also part of the legal team that successfully filed suit and obtained judgment in favor of members for compensation of office which ought to have ended in March 2018,” she says.

Adul says she also championed for the construction of modern Assembly and offices only rivaling National Parliament but claiming that this project did not materialize due to frustrations by the then Executive wing of the County Government of Kisumu and some Members of the County Assembly with vested interests.

She adds that she helped in entrenching the rule of law and best parliamentary practice in the legislative Assembly of Kisumu as well as exposing members to the best training and workshops with reputable organization both local and international forums.

“I have also put in place good fiscal Financial Management Policies chapter as Chairperson of the County Assembly Service Board,” Adul adds.

Adul further says she really fought for and achieved the Kisumu County Assembly Financial Autonomy from the executive wing of the then County Government led by former Governor Jack Ranguma, adding that she managed to shield MCAs from being subjected to scrutiny and legal prosecution.

“During my tenure, I also managed to entrench equality and respect of all members elected and nominated unlike other County Assemblies where nominated members were denied privileges and leadership roles as chairpersons of Committees. Last but not least, I am the first among Equals -3 female County Assembly Speakers of the 47 County Assemblies, thereby raising the bar for women in leadership in Kenya,” she concludes.

Adul says it would be better if the next County Assembly of Kisumu elect a woman as its next Speaker so as to help bring gender balance at the County Government of Kisumu.

She says already the Executive wing of the County Government is headed by a male Governor with his deputy who is also a male,adding that the constitution and the County Government Act requires that there should be a gender balance at the County Government level.

ENDS