Senators have secured monthly access to county Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) reports after the Senate approved a motion requiring the National Treasury to share the financial records to strengthen accountability and oversight of county finances.
The resolution, passed during Wednesday's sitting, directs Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi to submit all county IFMIS transactions and reports to the Clerk of the Senate every month for onward transmission to senators representing the respective counties.
Lawmakers said the move will improve access to financial information on both nationally allocated funds and revenue collected by county governments, enabling senators to more effectively carry out their constitutional responsibility of overseeing county finances.
While putting the motion to a vote, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi said the monthly reports would provide senators with timely access to county financial transactions and support transparency and accountability in the management of public resources.
The Senate resolved that the Cabinet Secretary in charge of the National Treasury shall submit all IFMIS transactions and reports for each county government to the Clerk of the Senate every month for sharing with respective senators.
The reports are expected to give senators regular updates on financial activities within the counties they represent, allowing them to closely monitor how public funds are managed and spent.
The House said the decision was anchored on Article 96 of the Constitution, which gives the Senate the mandate to represent counties, protect their interests and oversee revenue allocated to county governments.
Speaker Kingi said senators have been facing challenges accessing IFMIS data from the counties they represent, making it difficult to effectively perform their oversight role.
“Concerned that the senators are constrained by lack of timely access to data from the IFMIS system relating to the respective counties they represent, thus affecting effective oversight of county finances," Kingi said.
The Senate also noted that financial reports prepared by oversight institutions, including the Auditor General and the Controller of Budget, are often extensive and difficult to review within the available time.
Lawmakers further observed that inadequate access to county financial information systems has contributed to continued weaknesses in financial management, including the accumulation of pending bills.
“Noting that as a result of unchecked financial information and systems, county governments have continued to accumulate pending bills, resulting from unplanned expenditures accounted and unaccounted for and operated for the project," Kingi said.
The motion was sponsored by Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, who argued that senators need timely access to county financial records if they are to effectively oversee how public money is spent.
Omtatah said the proposal was based on Articles 96 and 217 of the Constitution, maintaining that effective oversight cannot depend on reports released long after public funds have already been used.
“Pursuant to Articles 96 and 217 of the Constitution, I have moved a motion in the Senate to compel the National Treasury to provide senators with real-time IFMIS reports for every county. Effective oversight cannot rely on delayed reports long after public funds have been spent,” Omtatah said.
He added that regular access to financial information would allow senators to identify concerns early, monitor county expenditure more closely and strengthen accountability.
“Transparency begins with timely access to information. If senators are to protect county resources and hold governments accountable, we must see public expenditure as it happens, not after the damage is done,” the senator added.
The approved motion now requires the National Treasury to submit county IFMIS transactions and reports to the Senate every month, a move lawmakers say will strengthen oversight, improve transparency and enhance accountability in the management of county public finances.