Governors, senators hit back at MPs for slashing budget

NAIROBI: The Council of Governors (CoG) has hit out at the National Assembly following its move to slash the budgets of the Senate, Judiciary and Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).

The council accused the august House of acting with impunity, noting it was time its powers were reigned in before more independent bodies were affected.

According to the new council officials, the National Assembly was trying to muzzle and intimidate bodies that it thought were opposed to it.

Speaking in Naivasha, CoG Chairman Peter Munya said they would consider introducing a question in the referendum seeking to reign in the MPs. He termed the current National Assembly a rogue House, adding that the council was disappointed by its actions. "The National Assembly is acting with impunity by punishing independent organs through denying them resources," he said.

On Wednesday, MPs slashed the budgets of the Senate, SRC and the Judiciary and channeled it to the counties.

Meanwhile, senators Thursday continued their onslaught on MPs over a decision to take Sh1 billion allocated for Senate affairs and give it to counties.

The senators are reading mischief in the process and have accused the Executive of being behind its woes.

They have told their National Assembly counterparts to prepare for a backlash and vowed to ensure the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) becomes a devolved fund managed by counties.

Senate Majority Whip Beatrice Elachi (Nominated), Mutahi Kagwe (Nyeri) and Lenny Kivuti (Meru) questioned why the MPs did not slash their Sh36 billion for CDF, choosing to only reduce allocations to other institutions.

They termed the move as ill-advised, driven by hatred and not meant to improve development but satisfy selfish interests.

Elachi faulted the taking away of Sh1 billion from the Senate meant for oversight, saying that is a way to kill devolution. "This is pure jealous and sibling rivalry, which should be discouraged," warned Elachi. Kagwe said they were not against the Sh1 billion going to counties but MPs should have also sacrificed part of their CDF for the same if they were acting in good faith.