We want full autonomy in budgeting, say MCAs

Migori County Assembly Deputy Speaker George Omamba stresses a point during the 4th Legislative Summit in Kisumu on April 6, 2019. [Denish Ochieng/Standard]

MCAs have thrown their weight behind proposed amendments to the Constitution to give them budgetary autonomy.

They want the National Treasury to send funds directly to county assemblies.

They are unhappy that the current arrangement gives governors more control over funds disbursed to counties and by extend control over county assembly budgets.

The fact that money from the national government has to go through county executives which later give assemblies their share is irritating them, the legislators said yesterday.

Those who spoke on the sidelines of the fourth Annual Legislative Summit in Kisumu said they current system is promoting autocratic leadership.

Kisii deputy speaker Davins Onuso said county assemblies should be independent from the executives.

“We want independence in budget requisition from the National Treasury. County assemblies should receive their allocations directly from the Exchequer without necessarily having to go through the county executive,” said Onuso.

He said this will make it easy for county assemblies to play their oversight role over the regional governments more effectively.

“If this is not done, governors will use their powers to bulldoze county assemblies,” said Onuso.

He also called for establishment of a fund, similar to CDF in constituencies, to provide wards with cash to fund development projects.

Yesterday, Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jr said the bill seeking to establish ward development kitty was initially withdrawn for further amendments.

“We did this in consultation with its sponsor Senator Irungu Kangata. It was again submitted with amendments. It is now in Third Stage reading in Senate,” he said.

Mutula asked the MCAs to be patient and give senators time to work on the bill.

MCAs Joseph Mboha (Siaya), George Omamba,(Uriri), Joab Mwamto (Kakamega), Mwese Mwere (Migori) and Gerishon Owii (Awendo) also voiced their support for the amendments.

They support calls by a section of leaders, including ODM’s Raila Odinga and Cuto boss Francis Atwoli, to change the Constitution saying this is the only way the country will address some of the issues affecting it.

“We will not allow governors to take advantage of their executive powers to control the county assemblies using annual budgets,” said Mwese.

They lamented that governors have used the ‘loophole’ to decide when to release money to county assemblies.

“We cannot be effective in our oversight role if we allow the executive to control our budgets. Time has come for this to change” said Mwamto.

The annual summit gives legislators an opportunity to reviews progress made by devolution.

Mboha said the relationship between the national and county government must continue to be cordial for the country to achieve her development goals.

He accused governors of seeking to control everything including activities of county assemblies.

Mr Karanja Stanley, an MCA from Naivasha in Nakuru County, shared similar sentiments when he wondered why county assemblies and their executives should fight.

“We need laws to control the relationship between county assemblies and their executives. The executive implements policies and laws made by MCAs and that is why they two arms of regional governments must work together,” said Karanja.

Senate Speaker Kenneth Lusaka assured the MCAs the Senate will not allow governors to muzzle them.

“I am aware of the bill you want the Senate to pass, the Ward Development Fund Bill, is in the Third Reading and we will pass it soon,” said Lusaka.