Senators berate MPs on Sh1bn budget cut

Senators have criticised the National Assembly for denying them the proposed Sh1 billion meant to enable them monitor and evaluate devolution.

Mandera Senator Billow Kerrow and his Kajiado counterpart Peter ole Mositet Friday said the decision was perpetrated by unnecessary jealousy meant to ensure the Senate failed in its devolution oversight responsibility.

The senators further described the action as unsavoury and unmindful of the devolved resources, which they said required close monitoring and evaluation to check pilferage.

The Judiciary and the Senate suffered major cuts in their budgets after MPs significantly slashed their budgets to fund devolution.
On Wednesday, MPs made several proposals on the Division of Revenue Bill after a mediation which saw several amendments passed.

“I condemn their unsavoury action of slashing the proposed estimates of the PSC in order to eliminate the Sh 1 billion for monitoring and evaluation, as well as their odious attempt to punish the Judiciary by slashing their budget,” said Mr Kerrow.

JUDICIARY'S BUSINESS

The senator, who is also the chairman of the Senate’s Finance Committee, further condemned the slashing of the Judiciary’s budget, warning that the move could paralyse operation of some important state organs.

“MPs should appreciate that their resource allocation role is a trust mandate bestowed on them by the people of Kenya to exercise judiciously and objectively in the larger interest of the nation. It would be utterly irresponsible and myopic for MPs to use their mandate to exact retribution on other national institutions whom they perceive as their enemies,” he said.

The money targeted would have financed senators’ operations in the counties and was to be used to run their offices.

“Clearly, as regards Senate, their action is partly motivated by an unabated sense of inferiority complex that encourages them to reject everything about Senate,” said Mr Kerrow. Mr Mositet said senators had an important responsibility and they should not be taken for granted.

“Some governors are actually misusing resources devolved to the counties. An enhanced surveillance is required to avoid risks and pilferage,” said Mr Mositet.

The senator, who is also the committee’s vice-chairman, said MPs acted selfishly without considering serious national interest that underpinned the Senate proposal.

The senator further argued that it was illogical to approve Sh283 billion for the counties but reject a proposal to fund the work of senators.
He further questioned a Sh35 billion provision for Constituency Development Fund, yet it has been outlawed by the court.