Stop killing devolution, Musalia Mudavadi tells Senate

UDF Party leader Musalia Mudavadi (right) console family members of the former CKRC Commissioner the late Ebbie Kavestza Adagala during burial service at Vohovole in Vihiga County on 8 August 2014, Adagala served as a Commission in the Yash Pal Ghai led Constitution of Kenya Review Commission. By Benjamin Sakwa

Kenya: Amani coalition leader Musalia Mudavadi has accused the Senate of undermining devolution.

Mudavadi says Senators are overstepping their oversight mandate. He also claimed that by seeking to chair County Development Boards, Senators are undermining the Constitution.

“Senators should exercise their oversight roles at the national level and not fighting to chair development boards in the counties. This will kill devolution,’’ said Mudavadi.

He spoke yesterday during the burial of former University of Nairobi don and Constitution of Kenya Review Commissioner Kavetsa Adagala at Vohovole village, Sabatia in Vihiga County. Sabatia MP Alfred Agoi and Vihiga County Assembly Speaker Daniel Chitwah were present.

The former Deputy Prime Minister also faulted President Uhuru Kenyatta for signing into law the County Development Board Bill, saying he should have rejected it.

“Uhuru cannot tell us that his hands were tied when he assented to the Bill. The law allows him to reject a Bill and allow the National Assembly to make amendments on contentious clauses,’’ he said.

Mudavadi said there’s need for power separation between the national and county governments to ensure each arm executes its role without duplication and interference. “The Senate is encroaching on the role of the county governments. They were the first to say they wanted separation of power to exercise their oversight and scrutinise counties’ spending,’’ he added.

He questioned who would inspect counties’ books of accounts if senators will chair development board meetings, as chances are high they will be compromised.

“Elected leaders are working hard to kill devolution and the Executive has failed to advise the President on devolution. If senators come to counties to be bosses of the governors, which manifestos will they use in their development projects?’’ Mudavadi posed.

He further added his voice on the calls for a referendum by governors and CORD, saying there is no need for a referendum now because it will only burden the taxpayer.

“A referendum will cost almost Sh10 billion. Where will the cash come from? It is the poor Kenyans who will foot the bills through increased taxes. We were in a referendum in 2005 and 2010. General Election was in 2007 and 2013. It is only 2014 and the first five years after transiting to a new constitutional order are not yet over,” he said.

Mudavadi said those calling for a referendum are not honest. He went on: “It is difficult for Kenyans to determine who is honest between CORD and the governors in the push for a referendum. We cannot be a country that is in an election mood throughout. We need to concentrate on development and how to improve our economy,’’ Mudavadi said.

He said there is need for dialogue so that leaders can iron out their differences and pave the way for development.

The UDF leader also noted that according to the Bible in Ecclesiastes, there is time for everything and Kenyans should be given time for what they now want, rather than putting them in an electioneering mood.