Senate plans probe into Makueni conflict

Kenya: The Senate Committee on Devolved Governments plans to conduct a public inquiry into the conflict in Makueni County.

The three-day investigation scheduled in a fortnight will seek to establish the root cause of the wrangles pitting Governor Kivutha Kibwana against Members of County Assembly (MCAs), which have stalled service delivery in the county.

Committee members expressed their disappointment with the Council of Governors' (CoG) recommendation to petition the President to dissolve the county government if a solution is not found in a week.

Situation embarrassing

"The situation in Makueni is embarrassing. Though it is anticipated in the Constitution, especially during the transition period, we are completely hesitant and cannot even imagine supporting the suspension of a county government," said committee chairman Senator Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo/Marakwet).

The senators lashed out at governors, whom they faulted for suggesting suspension of the county government instead of looking for ways to address the stand-off.

Committee members Murkomen, Judy Sijeny (nominated), Henry ole Ndiema (Trans Nzoia), Amos Wako (Busia) and Majority Chief Whip Beatrice Elachi, maintained that any decision to dissolve a county should be the last resort.

"We have county governments like Isiolo, Marsabit and Mandera that have more serious and worrying issues of insecurity and others, yet they working on ways to resolve them, as compared to Makueni where elected leaders have disagreed," said Ms Elachi.

Murkomen said the inquiry to be held between October 14 and 16 will seek to establish the reasons behind the present stalemate in Makueni.

"It will be a fact-finding mission. For now, we have unconfirmed reports on budgets and the audits," he said.

The committee has summoned Prof Kibwana to appear before it on the October 14, MCAs on the second day and the County Assemblies Forum (CAF), CoG and Controller of Budgets Agnes Odhiambo on October 16.