Cheserem: Senate has failed to play oversight role

Commission for Revenue Allocation (CRA) has reprimanded the Senate for failing to provide oversight to devolution.

As Devolution enters its third year since inception, CRA Chairman Micah Cheserem blamed supremacy wars between constitutional bodies mandated by the people to provide leadership and direction on matters of devolution.

He is now calling for the strengthening of the Senate, which he says should be anchored in law, if it is to play its role of moulding devolution.

While commenting on challenges facing devolution, CRA boss said that in the past two years, elected members who swore to protect the constitution, and by extension, devolution, have spent better part fighting each other.

"Supremacy wars between the National and County governments, Senators verses National Assembly, Governors and County Assembly, Governors and their deputies, among other battles have only served to derail the funds allocation process, oversight roles and failed leadership," said Mr Cheserem.

"At times even the President and the Deputy President have been at loggerhead with governors, including MPs against governors. When will the bickering end?"

He said the battles have derailed budgetary allocations as parliament has failed to enact laws that could speed up devolution.

"You saw yesterday In Kisumu deputy governors fighting to be heard. This should not happen. Counties are waiting for funds as the two houses continue to bicker. An immediate action is for the Senators to cease their supremacy wars with the governors, as well as Senators and MPs," he said.

He pointed out how Senators have failed to use powers given to them by article 96 of the Constitution, which states in 96(1) that; The Senate represents the counties, and serves to protect the interests of the counties and their governments.

He observed that the current troubles facing Makueni, Isiolo, Embu and other counties could have been resolved if the Senate played its role effectively.

Strengthen senate

"A remedy at this point in time is to strengthen the Senate, so that it can effectively play its role," said the CRA Chairman.

He proposed the setting up of a unit, to be called 'Senate Oversight Support Unit' (SOSU), propose of professionals, including accountants, lawyers and economists.

 

Under the CRA proposals, the SOSU, which shall be headed by a Director would operate under the Clerk of the Senate. The support unit shall be under the watchful eye of the National Treasury, County Treasuries, Controller of Budget, Auditor General and CRA.

The Senate, Cheserem observed was not well thought out and now is the time to strengthen it.

"The Senate has been allocated Sh1 billion in the 2015-2016 budget. Part of this money should be used to finance the proposed Oversight Support Unit. The senate is the biggest hope. If it fails, we will have failed," said Cheserem.

Senate Leader of Minority Moses Wetang'ula agrees that strengthening the Senate is long overdue.

"I agree with CRA that we need to strengthen our capacity to provide oversight. However, we are yet to see the proposals as Senators. Immediately we receive them, we will be able to see and debate the best way forward," Mr Wetang'ula said.

Ceiling adherence

Another challenge is the failure by the counties to adhere to ceilings to ensure more funds were spend on development, other than on recurrent budgets.

"There are 2,227 Member of the County Assembly, 47 Speakers and 47 Deputy Speakers. Assembly staff and wards add up to more than 8,500 workers. In addition to this, we must provide insurance, and other allowances," Cheserem said.

"In order to ensure effective management of funds, a budgetary ceiling of not more than Sh24 billion for each financial year should be set up."

Similarly, he said governors and their deputies, plus county staff, should also adhere to the ceilings to ensure prudent spending of funds.