By ROSELYNE OBALA
Governors have faulted various attempts by Parliament to seize executive functions in counties, terming the move as unconstitutional.
They alleged that MPs’ conduct, including seeking to divert Sh3 billion equalisation fund to the Constituency Development Fund and granting boards sweeping powers on county budgets, signal attempts to water down devolution.
The county chiefs took issue with the proposed amendments to the Equalisation Fund, the National Flags, Emblems and Names (amendment) Bill, 2013 and the County Governments (amendment) Bill 2013.
“Attempts to reverse the devolution gains are regressing and a direction the country would not want to go,” warned Machakos Governor Dr Alfred Mutua.
He called on President Uhuru Kenyatta to protect devolution and not to assent to any legislation meant to undermine county governments.
Governors’ Council Chairman Isaac Ruto maintained they are not interested in institutional or supremacy battles with Parliament.
“As far as we are concerned, the recent events are sideshows. Let’s concentrate on exercising our constitutional mandate,” urged Ruto.
MEDIA COVERAGE
The governors spoke at a breakfast meeting with the Kenya Editors Guild to discuss media coverage on devolution.
“We are in transition and therefore boundaries should be demarcated. We want to work in a respectful way. Various institutions should consult and co-ordinate well and uphold the Constitution,” said Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdulahi Mohammed.
Meru Governor Peter Munya said devolution is a new system of government and a lot of clarification was needed for various issues.
The county bosses said they were open and ready for oversight as long as it adheres to approved budgets.
Governors questioned why reports by Auditor General Edward Ouko and Controller of Budget Agnes Odhiambo are released to other government institutions before they get copies.
“We are their clients. It is unfortunate that the channel used to release the reports is wrong,” he said.
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Mohammed and Munya said they wanted to operate on a constitutional framework where all the three arms of Government respect each other’s mandate.
“What we are witnessing now is the legislature overstepping its mandate and accusing the Judiciary of injuncting it,” he added.
The county chiefs vowed to continue seeking advisory from the Judiciary for interpretation.
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