County governors will not escape scrutiny from the Senate, which has insisted that all county chief executives must continue appearing before its committees to respond to audit concerns raised by the Auditor General as part of efforts to tighten oversight on public spending.
Deputy Speaker of the Senate and Chair of the Senate Liaison Committee Kathuri Murungi, who also represents Meru County, made it clear that the House will not ease pressure on accountability even as it pushes for increased financial allocations to counties. He spoke during the opening of a working retreat for Senate Liaison Committee members in Mombasa County.
Murungi said the Senate’s push for stronger devolution funding must be matched with firm control measures to ensure public resources are properly used and accounted for.
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“As the Senate, we have ensured progressive additional allocation to the Counties. On the same breath, we must amplify the call for accountability and ensure that no person defies or interferes with the Senate's execution of its constitutional mandate of oversight,” affirmed Deputy Speaker Murungi.
He stressed that governors will be expected, without exception, to present themselves before relevant Senate committees whenever summoned to address audit questions affecting their counties.
“We shall, without exception, stand our ground that every Governor, whenever required, shall appear before the relevant Senate committees to answer to audit queries raised by the Office of the Auditor General for their respective Counties. Accountability is not an innovation of the Senate, but a constitutional obligation imposed on all State officers.”
Murungi further called on Senate committees to sharpen their focus on matters that have a direct impact on citizens, especially at the county level, saying emerging challenges require stronger parliamentary attention.
“Committees should prioritise business that aligns with our Counties and the nation’s compelling and emerging concerns, such as addressing disruptions in fuel supply caused by external shocks, tackling governors’ non compliance with audit queries, strengthening climate resilience and food security, safeguarding the integrity of the electoral system and democratic process and combating organised crime, banditry and criminal gangs, which are becoming a threat to national security and a danger to Kenyans,” he stated.
He added that committees had made progress in addressing key issues affecting Kenyans in the previous session, highlighting work done in health, infrastructure, housing, agriculture value addition, and education reforms.
“The Committees gave attention to and responded to the real and pressing issues affecting Kenyans, such as access to timely and quality healthcare, improved infrastructure, the implementation of affordable housing, the establishment of industrial parks to accelerate value addition across the economy, which in turn will guarantee farmers maximum returns, and the implementation of the competency-based curriculum, among others,” said Sen. Murungi.
At the same time, he acknowledged challenges affecting Senate committee operations, pointing out insufficient funding and delays or failures by some institutions to respond to petitions, statements, and questions raised by lawmakers.
He also appreciated the offices of the Speaker and the Clerk of the Senate for their role in ensuring the smooth coordination and functioning of committee activities.
The Liaison Committee retreat brings together all Senate committee chairpersons to review performance from the previous session and set priorities aimed at strengthening oversight and improving efficiency in the new legislative cycle.
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