Senate and Council of Governors to form joint committee

Jubilee MPs led by Benjamin Washiali consult before addressing the media at Parliament on Tuesday 19/09/17 over election preparedness. [Boniface Okendo,Standard]

Governors and Senators have agreed to form a joint committee to iron out differences between the two groups when they arise.

The committee, whose membership will be drawn from the two groups of politicians, will be tasked with ensuring that disputes involving them do not wind up in court.  

This was decided during a one-week retreat for senators at Naivasha’s Simba Lodge which ended on Friday.

Council of Governors Chairman Josphat Nanok said disputes between the two groups will be minimised  now that they have pledged to work together.

Nanok said the relationship between governors and senators hit rock bottom in the previous Parliament. “We are now determined to forge ahead as a united group,” he said.

The Turkana governor said the committee would sit from time to time to iron out problems that may emerge from the legislative process.

“The committee starts work immediately and its first duty is to plan  for a joint devolution conference involving senators, governors and MCAs,” he said.

Nairobi Senator Johnson Sakaja said there is need for all arms of government to work together. 

“We will avoid wrangles now that we have a better understanding of our roles,” he said.

He  said Senators would work to safeguard devolution. "We should be seen as defenders and champions of devolution as opposed to what was said about the last house," he said.