Honour our invitations, Kajwang' tells governors

Homa Bay Senator Moses Kajwang’. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Senate Public Accounts and Investment Committee chair Senator Moses Kajwang’ (Homa Bay) has defended the Senate’s oversight role over counties.

Kajwang' also criticized governors for snubbing committee summons.

“We have come to build bridges to strengthen devolution. The same vigour we use to defend you is the same vigour we will use to demand oversight,” he said.

He explained that summons are used as a last resort in cases where governors have refused to honour invitations.

He lauded Governor Kivutha Kibwana (Makueni) whom he said honoured their invitations and came well prepared with the necessary documents.

He downplayed any rifts between governors and senators over audit queries, saying the process would be seamless if everyone did their work as stipulated in law.

“Usually, governors accuse senators of side-stepping MCAs in discharging their oversight and legislative roles by also considering some of their assigned functions. Issues to do with budget approvals, and staff structure and remuneration are done by MCAs. Senators come in as second opinion,” he said.

Kibwana said the reason he appeared before the Senate after being summoned was because the people of Makueni wanted him to be there.