Senators faulted over rows with governors

The Senate has been accused of failing to defend devolution by fighting governors instead of ensuring that adequate resources go to the counties.

Devolution expert Mutakha Kangu said the Senate was supposed to ensure resources were released to the counties on time, and that they were not short-changed by the national government.

“The Senate got it right for some time but along the way it veered off when it started to prefect governors instead of pushing the government, which is the key facilitator of counties,” he said.

He was speaking at the second annual devolution conference for county executives at Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi.

He said the task of checking governors and the executive belonged to county assemblies and not the Senate. He urged the Senate to play its rightful role so that counties are funded adequately and without delay.

Dr Kangu also criticised National Assembly Speaker Justin Muturi for ignoring the Senate, and failing to consult with his counterpart, Mr Ekwee Ethuro.

He said a ruling by the Supreme Court made it clear that both Houses have to agree on all Bills before they are passed. The President also had a duty to ensure the Constitution was not flouted in passing laws.