The Senate of Kenya will be able to control the expenses of local governors

Oct. 8 (EUROPA PRESS) –

The Kenyan Supreme Court has ruled this Friday that the Senate can summon local governors to request information and control their spending, not only regarding the item assigned by the National Government, but also on the income generated in each county.

The pronouncement has meant the victory of the senators against the Council of Governors, which has fought to prevent the Senate from having this power recognized, considering it unconstitutional for “violating the separation of powers.” In addition, they had argued that in any case it should be the officials in charge of finances who account for these local expenses.

However, the sentence signed by the president of the Supreme Court, Martha Koome and four magistrates, recognizes that the Chamber is constitutionally empowered to convene before it or any of its commissions, “in order to answer questions and provide the required information”, according to ‘The Standard’.

The court’s decision does not agree with the other aspect of the local governors either, since it emphasizes that the responsibility falls on them as heads of the county executives, so that if their appearance is required, they cannot send a representative.

“Governors must appear in person when summoned by the Senate. However, when appearing before senators, nothing prevents them from going with a technical team from the County Executive to help provide the required information,” the ruling says.

The Court considers that this control instrument is essential for the Senate to be able to exercise effective supervision over the items of national income assigned to the counties, although it also applies to those with a local nature.

“Such income falls within the rubric of public finances whose use must remain under the scrutiny radar of the State bodies established for this purpose,” he assured.