Senate wants Transition Authority term extended by two years

Senate has published a Bill seeking to amend sections of the Constitution to extend the term of the Transitional Authority (TA) by two years.

Senate Public Accounts Committee chairman Boni Khalwale, speaking in Kisumu Saturday, said the extension will enable the authority undertake critical functions that are still pending. According to the Constitution, the agency's term is supposed to end in March.

Dr Khalwale faulted governors and a section of members of the National Assembly for pushing for disbandment of the authority yet it had not completed its functions.

"TA has not verified Sh143 billion worth of assets inherited from the defunct local authorities and their fate will hang in the balance if we do not extend the term of the authority," said Khalwale.

The agency's sole responsibility according to the supreme law is to oversee the smooth transfer of functions to counties. It is also the custodian of all the assets that are yet to be unbundled.

He said several assets including the Sh5 billion casino and betting industry has created a contest between the county government and other institutions including the national government.

"If we disband TA, we run the risk of losing assets worth billions which will be unaccounted for," said Khalwale.

The Legal Affairs committee led by Busia Senator Amos Wako have already drafted an amendment to the Transitional Authority Act in a bid to extend the term of the authority.

He said those who were calling for disbandment of TA were speaking from a point of ignorance. "They have no idea what is under our nose as a committee on the counties assets," he said.

Also present were Senators, Kennedy Mong'are (Nyamira) Peter Anyang' Nyong'o (Kisumu), Kimani Wamatangi (Kiambu), Muriuki Karue (Nyandarua) and Martha Wangari (nominated).