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Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has called on MCAs to come up with solutions to Kenya’s problems that could easily trigger violence.

He said peace is priceless and that local leaders must do everything to safeguard it.

“What is the economic value of peace and stability? I am not asking about the economic value of roads, the port, airports or anything else. I am asking about the economic value of peace,” Mudavadi asked MCAs.

He spoke during the sixth legislative summit organised by the County Assembly Forum at Sapphire Hotel in Mombasa on Tuesday.

Mudavadi said the war in the Middle East shows that even with the best facilities, there can be no maritime activity. Supply chains are disrupted and children are unable to go to school.

He said as Kenya heads towards the 2027 General Election, leaders must ensure violence is not encouraged.

“We want a democratic nation where democratic processes are encouraged. That is where we shall build our nation. And that is why I am asking, what is the economic value of peace and stability?”

He said MCAs can unanimously agree not to be underwriters of violence while at the same time demanding free and fair elections.

Mudavadi said Kenya has strong institutions that have been tested, including the Supreme Court, which nullified a presidential election — an unprecedented occurrence in the world.

“We are a nation. We must remain a united nation and respect the rule of law. Our strength lies in being a nation that respects the rule of law,” he said.

Mudavadi warned MCAs against being driven by personal interests at the expense of the electorate.

“Do not fall into the trap of becoming a trade union movement. In trade unions we have the principle of collective bargaining. Manage it. Moderate it.

“But your principal target is the citizens of this country. So, as you engage with other legislative assemblies, let us ask ourselves: what is the impact on citizens?” Mudavadi said.

He said poverty levels, food security, health and the fight against violence against women should be the main concerns for MCAs.

“More often than not, we put emphasis somewhere else and the impact on citizens is not being felt. At what point in our five-year career do we lose focus on our target to the extent that re-election becomes a mirage?” Mudavadi asked.

He said MCAs have at least one year to re-examine themselves.

This was a thinly veiled criticism of the MCAs’ demands for a salary increment during a meeting with President William Ruto and the Pension Scheme managers at the KICC in Nairobi about a month ago.

Mudavadi also called on MCAs to mobilise people to register as voters and participate in the 2027 General Election.

At the same time, he said leaders must retrace their steps and find out where they went wrong so that young people are incentivised to register and vote.

“Voting is for the benefit of the people. Now, somebody wants to be greased so that they can go and register as a voter,” Mudavadi said.

He said strengthening the private sector in counties will increase the revenue base.

“Don’t undermine the role of the private sector in your area. That should become one of your critical indicators,” Mudavadi said.

This, he said, will make it easier to determine whether MCAs are having an impact in their respective counties.

Mudavadi said he is a diehard supporter of devolution, noting that he has vested interests in its success.