Like it or not, we will hold you accountable, governors told

By ROSELYNE OBALA

Senators have taken a tough stand on the issue of accountability by county governments and warned that it will not be business as usual.

While debating on the adoption of a report transferring the appealed functions to counties, the lawmakers expressed their reservations on the conduct of governors in relation to being held accountable in the management of their counties’ finances.

They argued that as protectors of the counties, they will not relent in exercising their oversight role on the expenditure of funds allocated to counties. The legislators approved the immediate transfer of five functions contested by Counties, which include agriculture, roads, library services, natural resources and environment and rural electrification.

Speaker Ekwe Ethuro said 28 senators present in the house voted for the functions to be devolved. Devolution Committee chairman Kipchumba Murkomen regretted that even as senators remained co-operative in ensuring counties are properly facilitated, governors remain uncooperative.

“All functions appealed have now been transferred and counties have no reason not to discharge their constitutional mandate,” said Murkomen.

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Meanwhile, Senate has taken a 46-day break, adjourning its sitting until June 3. However the House will be recalled for a special sitting to discuss the Division of Revenue Bill, 2014 and County Allocation of Revenue Bill, 2014.