The Senate Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations has resolved to summon county governors to address a mounting governance crisis threatening the operations of municipal boards across the 47 devolved units. 

This decision follows a damning testimony from Kisumu County municipal board chairpersons, who alerted the Senate to a total breakdown in the working relationship between their boards and the County Executive. 

Led by Mr. Lordvick Otieno, the officials reported that their legal semi-autonomous status is being systematically undermined by centralized county control.

The chairpersons representing Maseno-Holo, Muhoroni-Chemelili, Kombewa-Bodi, Ahero-Awasi, Katitu-Pap Onditi, and Kisumu City alleged that their institutions have been reduced to mere agents of the executive. 

Mr. Otieno detailed an environment where boards pass resolutions to manage local affairs but lack the statutory authority or liquidity to implement them, effectively leaving members as powerless observers of municipal activities. 

This functional paralysis is reportedly driven by a strategy of financial starvation, where boards frequently receive only 30% to 40% of their approved budgetary allocations. 

Essential operational costs, including electricity, water, and stationery, are often stripped from budgets by the county treasury, while municipal managers reportedly bypass their respective boards to coordinate directly with County Executive Committee members.

Despite the gravity of the testimony, the Senator Abbas Mohamed-led committee maintained that formal inquiries must be anchored in documented facts rather than verbal grievances. 

Senators directed the chairpersons to return with a solid case built on specific evidence of breaches regarding the Urban Areas and Cities Act and the Public Finance Management Act.

“Even before you came, the committee was concerned about the implementation of the Urban Areas and Cities Act. Clearly, this will trigger that conversation. So, give us better particulars, as guided, so that even when we are discussing, we don't want to discuss rumours,” submitted Senator Catherine Mumma, the Committee Vice Chairperson.

Senator Peris Tobiko further cautioned the officials to treat their submissions with the rigor of a legal proceeding, emphasizing that generalities would not suffice to move the inquiry forward.

“Do you have evidence of these allegations? If you don’t provide the evidence, this will be hearsay, and it will not hold water,” Senator Tobiko, a member of the Committee, noted.

In a move that signals a broader national audit of devolution, the Committee resolved to invite Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o and his administration to respond to these allegations. 

The Senators announced they will extend invitations to other Governors and County Public Service Boards across the country to conduct a broader assessment of compliance with urban governance laws.

“We have heard your case. We will subsequently invite the Governor of Kisumu (Prof.) Anyang’ Nyong’o and all other governors to address these issues. If there is a lacuna in the Act, we will amend it to fully streamline the municipal boards’ functions,” Senator Mohamed Abbas directed. 

The inquiry ultimately aims to ensure that the power of the purse is not utilized by county governments to obstruct the legal functions of municipal boards.