Consider move after ruling, Ruto tells CoG

What you need to know:

  • Mr Ruto, together with Mr William Kabogo (Kiambu) and Mr Jack Ranguma (Kisumu) were to appear before the Senate on August 26, 2014 after the committee summoned them on August 12, to shed light on issues raised in the Auditor-General’s report for the 2012/2013 financial year.
  • Others governors were Dr Alfred Mutua (Machakos), Mr Patrick Simiyu Khaemba (Trans Nzoia), Mr Ahmed Abdullahi Mohamed (Wajir), Mr Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega), Mr James Ongwae (Kisii) and Mr Martin Wambora (Embu).

Bomet Governor Isaac Ruto has advised his colleagues to consider their next move following the High Court ruling that upheld senators’ powers to summon them.

Mr Ruto and six others, on many occasions, defied orders by the Senate Public Accounts Committee to answer audit queries touching on their counties.

At that time, Mr Ruto argued that appearing before the committee would belittle governors.

He said governors would reconsider their earlier stance that county finance executives or other officials could respond to accountability matters on behalf of governors.

Asked if he would soften his stance and appear before the Boni Khalwale-led committee, Mr Ruto refused to comment.

“The Council of Governors should make a decision on whether we should accept or challenge the ruling. Since I no longer chair the council, it’s upon Mr Peter Munya (Meru) to lead us on what step to take,” Mr Ruto said on Friday.

The county bosses went to court to seek a permanent order barring the Senate from summoning them.

But judges Isaac Lenaola, Mumbi Ngugi and George Odunga on Wednesday ruled that the Senate could summon governors to answer questions on devolved funds.

They also dismissed the view that the Senate’s power was limited to overseeing national agencies that manage the revenue allocated to counties.

Mr Ruto, together with Mr William Kabogo (Kiambu) and Mr Jack Ranguma (Kisumu) were to appear before the Senate on August 26, 2014 after the committee summoned them on August 12, to shed light on issues raised in the Auditor-General’s report for the 2012/2013 financial year.

Others governors were Dr Alfred Mutua (Machakos), Mr Patrick Simiyu Khaemba (Trans Nzoia), Mr Ahmed Abdullahi Mohamed (Wajir), Mr Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega), Mr James Ongwae (Kisii) and Mr Martin Wambora (Embu).

Meanwhile, Senate Speaker Ekwee Ethuro hailed the court’s decision.

Speaking at a Naivasha hotel yesterday, Mr Ethuro said governors should not see the ruling as “a death sentence”.