Speaker of the Senate Amason Kingi (center) and lawmakers follow proceedings during Senate mid-term assessment and planning retreat in Naivasha, Nakuru County on February 5, 2025.
County governments with a notoriety for mismanaging public funds could soon be listed and exposed if the Senate makes good its threat to instil fiscal discipline.
This emerged as lawmakers took county bosses to task over misuse of taxpayers’ money during the two-day Senate mid-term assessment and planning retreat in Naivasha.
Deputy Speaker, Kathuri Murungi, asked Senate committees to start listing and submitting names of devolved governments that misuse funds.
“There is need for committees handling audited reports to identify and present to the House names of county governments known for financial mismanagement. Such disclosures would make Kenyans demand accountability and safeguard their rights,” Mr Murungi said.
“Kenyans have been seeking information on devolved governments that are blatantly mismanaged. The Senate, through its committees, should be able to provide this so that governors can be questioned and made to refund the money where possible.”
The Meru senator also underscored the oversight role of the Senate, stressing the importance of transparency in the use of public resources.
“We should have lists of counties where money is embezzled in order to ask hard questions and ensure resources are used prudently,” he said.
Since 2013, Kenya has spent more than Sh1 trillion on devolution, a pro-people initiative meant to take development to millions starved of progress by a centralised, score-settling governance system.
More than 10 years later, devolution has become a poisoned chalice. Some counties have become havens of corruption for governors and their cronies.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) tie several serving and former governors to plunder.
Governors, county assembly speakers, clerks and ward representatives have been accused of colluding to steal from the public.
Reports by Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu and Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o always reveal misuse and plunder of resources.
On January 28,for instance, the EACC said 11 county governments were being investigated for financial malpractice. The offences range from the use of proxies and procurement irregularities to steal resources.
The directive by the Controller of Budget stopping governors from issuing bursary to students also came up during the meeting that began on Wednesday.
Nandi Governor Stephen Sang, who represented the Council of Governors, asked senators to devise a legal framework on bursary.
“We have been stopped from issuing bursary to primary, secondary and university students. This matter must be addressed swiftly by the Senate,” Mr Sang said.
“I urge the Senate to put in place a framework to ensure governors do not lose the opportunity to support thousands of needy learners.”
In a communication to county finance executives, Dr Nyakang’o said requisition for withdrawal of funds to perform functions of the national government must be accompanied by an inter-governmental agreement.
She stated that for devolved governments to offer educational support towards national government functions, there is need to transfer the function.
Governors have labelled the decision “political”.
Mr Sang also raised concern over the methods used in the division of revenue.
“We also urge the Senate to come up with an objective criteria of allocating resources to counties,” he said.
Speaker Amason Kingi, who opened the meeting, urged senators to remain dedicated to their duty. He talked of absenteeism, “which has impacted House proceedings”.
“Will we be remembered as a Senate that strengthened devolution, upheld accountability and championed the interests of counties or will we be remembered as a House that let opportunities slip away?” he asked. “Kenyans have high expectations of the Senate and we should live up to that.”
Minority Leader, Stewart Madzayo, raised concern over inadequate funding that has hampered Senate operations.
He said senators are made to cover their expenses while on official duty in some instances.
“It is important that the Senate leadership ensures the welfare of members is taken seriously. There have been cases of senators being bundled in a bus for a trip to Tanzania,” he said.
The theme of the retreat was “Shaping the Senate’s Legacy: Reflections, Strategies and the Path Forward”.
The retreat also reviewed the performance and output of the Senate in plenary and committees.
Council of Governors chairman Ahmed Abdullahi, Senate Devolution Committee chairman Mohamoud Abass, County Assemblies Forum Secretary-General Mwaura Chege and Devolution Principal Secretary Teresia Mbaika also attended the retreat.
