The Senate has reaffirmed its position that Governors will be required to appear before its Committees to respond to audit queries raised by the Office of the Auditor General.

Speaking while officially opening the Senate Liaison Committee’s Working Retreat in Mombasa County, the Deputy Speaker, who also chairs the Liaison Committee, Senator Kathuri Murungi (Meru) said Senate Committees would not relent in their pursuit of accountability. He added that the Senate cannot continue to push for increased allocations to Counties only to sit back and watch as the resources are not accounted for.

“As the Senate, we have ensured progressive additional allocation to the Counties. On the same breath, we must amplify the call for accountability and ensure that no person defies or interferes with the Senate's execution of its constitutional mandate of oversight,” affirmed Deputy Speaker Murungi.

He added, “We shall, without exception, stand our ground that every Governor, whenever required, shall appear before the relevant Senate committees to answer to audit queries raised by the Office of the Auditor General for their respective Counties. Accountability is not an innovation of the Senate, but a constitutional obligation imposed on all State officers.”

The Deputy Speaker urged Senate Committees to remain resilient and prioritise issues affecting ordinary citizens at the county level.

“Committees should prioritise business that aligns with our Counties and the nation’s compelling and emerging concerns, such as addressing disruptions in fuel supply caused by external shocks, tackling governors’ non compliance with audit queries, strengthening climate resilience and food security, safeguarding the integrity of the electoral system and democratic process and combating organised crime, banditry and criminal gangs, which are becoming a threat to national security and a danger to Kenyans,” he stated.

He commended Senate Committees for their output during the Fourth Session and challenged Lawmakers to do even more in the Fifth Session.

“The Committees gave attention to and responded to the real and pressing issues affecting Kenyans, such as access to timely and quality healthcare, improved infrastructure, the implementation of affordable housing, the establishment of industrial parks to accelerate value addition across the economy, which in turn will guarantee farmers maximum returns and the implementation of the competency based curriculum, among others,” said Sen. Murungi.

However, he noted several challenges affecting the performance of Committees, including inadequate budgetary allocations and the lack of commitment by some institutions in responding to matters raised through Petitions, Statements and Questions.

He used the opportunity to commend the offices of the Speaker and the Clerk for facilitating the smooth running of Committee activities.

The Liaison Committee Retreat, which brings together Chairpersons of all Senate Committees, aims to review the Committees’ performance in the previous session and strengthen their effectiveness in the new session.