Senate to open probe into deepening Makueni crisis
What you need to know:
- The committee had planned to start investigations Tuesday with a fact-finding visit to the county but this was cancelled after Prof Kibwana asked for more time to prepare.
- Controller of Budget Agnes Odhiambo is expected to present her views on the same day as the county assembly while the public can make its presentations on October 16.
- Other senators also warned against suspension of the county government, saying it would set a bad precedent for others with similar problems.
The Senate is set to launch urgent investigations into the Makueni crisis amid bitter fighting between the governor and county assembly.
The Committee on Devolved Government chaired by Elgeyo-Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen Tuesday said a three-day inquiry would be held into the crisis and invited Governor Kivutha Kibwana for a hearing on October 14 while the county assembly will appear the next day.
Controller of Budget Agnes Odhiambo is expected to present her views on the same day as the county assembly while the public can make its presentations on October 16.
The committee had planned to start investigations Tuesday with a fact-finding visit to the county but this was cancelled after Prof Kibwana asked for more time to prepare.
The committee will now sit in Nairobi and the county leaders will travel to the city.
But Makueni Majority Leader Francis Mutuku claimed the committee had postponed what he said was a mediation meeting over security fears.
Mr Mutuku said word had leaked that some thugs had been hired to disrupt the meeting but refused to say more when pressed to substantiate,
A confrontation between the warring parties a week ago resulted in a shootout at the gate of the assembly in which six people were injured.
Mr Murkomen said the Senate had decided to carry out the three-day inquiry to get to the bottom of the problem.
BAD PRECEDENT
“The situation is embarrassing when you think about it in the perspective of devolution and it was totally unexpected. The Senate is hesitant to think, contemplate or even imagine suspending the county government. The relationship between the governor and county assembly is a bit strained but we are optimistic the situation can be rescued. It is possible to reconcile the warring parties,” Mr Murkomen told a press conference at KICC on Tuesday.
Other senators also warned against suspension of the county government, saying it would set a bad precedent for others with similar problems.
“Suspension should be the last resort and even so it should only be in extreme circumstances. The spirit of the Constitution is that of dialogue and reconciliation. We are asking leaders of Makueni to give dialogue a chance,” said Busia Senator Amos Wako.
Majority Whip Beatrice Elachi urged the governor and county assembly to reconcile.
“It is unfortunate that we have come to this. It will be more unfortunate if we think of suspending the County Government of Makueni. Other counties have bigger problems than this, so suspension will not be right. The parties will have to talk and find a solution,” said Ms Elachi.
The senators also criticised the way the Council of Governors had handled the matter, saying its calls for a suspension were not backed by law.
“The Senate is alarmed at the governors’ announcement that a county should be suspended. If you read the law, it was never contemplated that a governor, a senator or a MCA would ask for suspension of a county government. The law only allows a citizen to do this,” said Mr Murkomen.
Additional reporting by Lillian Mutavi
