The Senate has issued a stern warning to corrupt governors and county officials, declaring its intent to take decisive action against the embezzlement and misuse of public funds. This comes as the Senate’s oversight committees prepare to unveil county performance reports and navigate legal obstacles that have previously shielded governors from scrutiny.
Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’ and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, recently re-elected as chairpersons of the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC) and the Senate County Public Investments and Special Funds Committee, respectively, have reaffirmed their commitment to fighting graft in devolved units. Their leadership positions place them at the helm of ensuring transparency and accountability in county governments.
Kajwang’ made it clear that his committee would be unrelenting in its pursuit of justice, warning those involved in corrupt dealings that their time is up. “We are going to terrorize thugs and thieves in the counties. We are going to be ruthless with the governors and county officials,” he asserted.
As part of their strategy, the committee intends to collaborate closely with the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) to intensify investigations into corruption cases within counties. Kajwang’ revealed that despite referring over 100 cases of financial mismanagement and embezzlement to the commission, little action has been taken. This lack of progress has fueled their resolve to ensure accountability is upheld.
One of the key challenges the Senate faces in holding governors accountable is a court ruling that prevents Parliament from reviewing audit reports more than three months after they are submitted by the Auditor General. To counter this, Kajwang’ outlined a new approach that will see all reports tabled in the House simultaneously through a single motion. The House Business Committee will then allocate adequate time for debate, allowing Parliament to issue recommendations on the findings.
This procedural shift aims to empower the CPAC to summon governors and enforce recommendations effectively. “We will allow the House to tell us to go and arrest this governor, and the House will tell CPAC to go and implement its resolution,” Kajwang’ emphasized.
As the Senate prepares to publish county performance reports, governors and county officials are under increasing pressure to ensure financial prudence and transparency. The move signifies a renewed commitment to upholding accountability in county governments, with the Senate determined to crack down on graft and restore public trust in devolution.
