Governors and senators have closed ranks after weeks of closed-door meetings aimed at resolving a standoff triggered by allegations that some members of the Senate County Public Accounts Committee were engaging in extortion. Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot said the Senate had reached an agreement with the Council of Governors, paving the way for governors to resume appearances before Senate oversight committees. Governors will lift their boycott, while senators will consider their push for increased county funding in the next financial year. 

Sources said the talks, held within Parliament buildings, were led by Senate Speaker Amason Kingi and Council of Governors chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi. Meetings on April 20 and April 26 yielded a breakthrough. 

Governors agreed to attend all oversight meetings of the County Public Accounts Committee and the County Public Investments Committee, drop demands to remove four senators they had accused of corruption, stop publicly condemning the Senate, and respect the House. Senators, in turn, agreed to handle extortion claims internally, conduct themselves with decorum during committee sessions, respect governors appearing before them, and consider the Division of Revenue Bill, which is expected to allocate more funds to counties. 

Cheruiyot said governors had agreed to resume appearances immediately, urging that the House should not be held hostage. Mandera Senator Ali Roba said the mediation team represented the Senate’s interests and apologised for not briefing the House earlier. 

Council of Governors chairperson Ahmed Abdullahi said senators must honour the resolutions reached. In a show of goodwill, senators began debating the Division of Revenue Bill. 

The Senate Finance and Budget Committee has recommended KSh454 billion for counties in the next financial year, up from KSh415 billion. Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi noted the Commission on Revenue Allocation had proposed KSh458 billion, while the National Assembly proposed KSh420 billion. During the debate, Migori Senator Eddy Oketch was ejected and suspended for disorderly conduct, while Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei raised concerns over what he termed wasteful county spending. 

(Source: Citizen Digital)