Kenyan Senate faults governors, Judiciary over accountability

Kakamega senator Bonny Khalwale address the Press where they produced a list of land beneficiaries in Kenya (PHOTO Moses Omusula)

A Senate committee has cautioned governors against ignoring summonses.

The Senate Public Accounts and Investment Committee warned governors who fail to respond to questions raised in public forums or hide behind court orders that their actions will soon catch up with them.

Senators Boni Khalwale (Kakamega), Anyang’ Nyong’o (Kisumu), Muriuki Karue (Nyandarua), George Khaniri (Vihiga), Kimani Wamatangi (Kiambu) and Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo/Marakwet) expressed their displeasure over county bosses trying to evade accountability.

They took issue with nine governors whom they accused of ignoring summonses to appear before the committee to answer financial queries touching on their counties.

 SEPARATION OF POWERS

The legislators reiterated that as much as they respect court orders, that must be tempered by the principle of separation of powers as the Judiciary cannot dictate to Parliament how to conduct its affairs.

“The governors might seek to win points now by engaging the Senate in legal battles. But for how long? Their deeds will soon catch up with them,” warned Dr Khalwale (pictured), who is also the committee chairman.

Wamatangi sought to remind the governors that the court orders they rush all the time to obtain were only reprieves and at one point they will be required to account.

Khalwale appealed to Chief Justice Willy Mutunga to guide and advise his judicial officers on the issuance of orders.

“Parliament determines own agenda and calendar. It is not done at the direction of the Judiciary. Where we have made a mistake, the courts can intervene,” he said.

Murkomen regretted the emergence of “judiciary activism”, which he said is being adopted to micromanage other institutions.

Khalwale commended governors who have honoured summonses and expressed disappointment at the nine who rushed to court to block their invites.

 IGNORED SUMMONSES

Governors Ahmed Abdullahi Mohammed (Wajir), James Ongwae (Kisii), Isaac Ruto (Bomet), Patrick Khaemba (Trans Nzoia), Alfred Mutua (Machakos), Martin Wambora (Embu), Jack Ranguma (Kisumu), Wycliffe Oparanya (Kakamega) and William Kabogo (Kiambu) are yet to honour summonses.