Kenya: After Parliament stripped them of their powers and privileges, 15 governors have now petitioned President Uhuru Kenyatta not to assent to the Order of Precedence Bill that was passed on Wednesday.
The governors argued the process that led to the passing of the now controversial bill did not meet the threshold of the Constitution.
Meru Governor Peter Munya dismissed the bill as lacking constitutional backing since the law touches on county government, but had no input of the Senate, which had been excluded in its enactment. “This bill did not pass through the Senate and there was no public participation. You cannot decide a protocol of a county government without the participation of the Senate,” said Munya.
The National Assembly on Wednesday voted to strip governors and county assembly members of the titles “his Excellency” and “Honourable” respectively.
Addressing the Press yesterday at the Council of Governors (CoG) headquarters in Nairobi where they held a meeting, Munya said enactment of laws touching on the county governments must involve the Senate.
The county bosses also stated that the Judiciary is under constant threats from external forces and that there is need to safeguard the independence and integrity of the institution at all times. Of concern to the governors was how the lower courts appeared to be contradicting higher ones in the Embu Governor Martin Wambora’s impeachment cases.
HEALTH ISSUE
Ruto, who is also the Bomet Governor, stated that the Judiciary must not compromise to legislature at the expense of justice and its own integrity.
The county bosses also maintained that Health is a service that was devolved as per the fourth schedule of the Constitution and the national government cannot purport to take medical equipment to county facilities without dialogue with the intended beneficiaries.
Ruto said the proposed Memorandum of Understanding should be reviewed to ensure it conforms to the letter and spirit of the Constitution. “The principal contract between the ministry and the equipment providers must be availed so that all counties interrogate the same to ensure the Constitution has been respected therein,” said Ruto.
While maintaining that counties were not against the provision of medical equipment, they said they must be informed on all the provisions of the parent contract. According to Ruto, the issue of costs must be clarified and the needs of the counties factored in before the signing of the agreements.
The governors have welcomed the Ministry of Health officials today in a meeting to resolve the stalemate amicably.
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