Assemblies to get cash directly in new proposal

Senators want county assemblies funded directly by the National Treasury in order to better perform their oversight role.

Meru Senator Kiraitu Murungi said the current arrangement where assemblies draw funds from the county treasury controlled by governors forced them to “dance” to the tune of the executive, compromising their oversight role.

“If they get money from the county executive, they cannot criticise the governor. I think we have concentrated too much on the governors and forgotten our responsibilities to the assemblies,” he said.

He gave the example of Parliament, which gets money directly from the National Treasury and is thus able to check the executive.

Mr Murungi spoke to the Nation on Saturday after the Senate concluded a two-day forum during which senators assessed how they had performed their roles in the counties.

County governments have been accused of mismanaging resources, which can be attributed to the lack of oversight by the assemblies.

The senator said direct funding to the assemblies would empower the MCAs and speakers and enable them to create a budget for the ward reps. The MCAs will then be expected to set up offices at the ward level, rather than “begging” for the money from the county executive.

SH1 BN FUNDING

“There is also a need for capacity building at the county level on budgeting. This will also include training personnel involved in the process,” he said.

According to Mr Murungi, senators will also be able to play their roles at the counties once the Sh1 billion allocated to the Senate for that purpose is released in the next financial year.

“The Constitution requires us to play a key role in the management of the counties but the way things are now, we do not even know what happens at the assemblies. The money will enable us (to) set up offices at the county with staff who will be reporting to us,” he said.