Senators now say governors are a threat to devolution

By Benard Sanga

Kenya: Senators have accused governors of being a threat to devolution as the standoff between Senate and Council of Governors intensifies.

Senators yesterday repeated the assertion that county assemblies passed unconstitutional Finance Bills and were thus charging levies illegally.

Senate will now issue summons against governors who fail to appear before its committees, saying some of them think they are untouchables.

Speaking yesterday in Mombasa, Senate Deputy Speaker Kembi Gitura (pictured) said the recent report by Controller of Budget on county government’s expenditure “lifted the lid on fiscal irresponsibility in counties”.

“It is unimaginable that anyone has the audacity to ignore an invitation to give evidence or documents to a committee of the Senate in complete contravention of the Constitution. A culture of unaccountability and unresponsiveness is emerging,” said Gitura.

He added Senator Stephen Sang’s Bill that seeks to establish county development board to be chaired by the senators was timely.

Governors are opposed to the Bill, terming it as an attempt to clip their powers. Yesterday Sang’ told The Standard that the Bill has passed second reading at the National Assembly. Senate Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki said though counties must increase revenue and bridge fiscal deficit, this should be done within the law.