Senate considering extending Transition Authority’s tenure

Transition Authority Chair Kinuthia Wamwangi

Senate is considering extending the tenure of the Transition Authority to allow it complete an assessment of assets and liabilities for counties.

TA commissioners have sought the extension, although Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru in March named the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee, chaired by former Education Permanent Secretary Karega Mutahi, to succeed the authority.

Senate has indicated its willingness to ignore the CS’s push to dissolve the authority and extend the institution’s life, saying it is the ‘prefect’ of devolution.

TA is the custodian of vital details on the accounts of the defunct local authorities at the time when governors assumed office, including land, properties and various agreements with foreign donors.

The authority’s vice chairperson Anjeline Hongo and the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) through its chairman Micah Cheserem are lobbying senators to consider the extension plea, noting a lot was at stake if the authority is disbanded at the end of the year.

During a closed-door meeting in Mombasa at the sidelines of a retreat with the senators and the commission, the two institutions made their case on why the authority needs an extension.

The Standard has established the Senate plans to rally the National Assembly to endorse an extension of not less than three years to allow for a proper audit and inventory of properties.

Pending work

“The authority is seeking an extension to be able to accomplish pending work, which includes assets, liabilities and functions assigned to counties but still performed by the national government,” disclosed Senator Boni Khalwale.

“Why the urgency to phase out TA yet we know it’s the only institution with proper information on the defunct local authorities’ assets and liability details. TA was in charge for the first three months of the transition period,” he said.

Senate Speaker Ekwee Ethuro confirmed to The Standard that the House would be considering an extension to ensure the authority completes its pending work as provided for in law.

“We have heard the issues raised by TA and this matter will be canvassed further to protect public property by retaining it longer than its constitutional timeline to secure the billions in its possession,” he affirmed.

Dr Khalwale, also Senate Public Accounts and Investment Committee chairman, said most county governments appearing before the committee rely on TA for direction and guidance.

“Dissolution of TA now is committing devolution suicide. A lot is at stake. Who will be held responsible if the authority goes with all this information at its disposal? We will be opening another window for corruption to thrive,” he warned.

The point of departure between the Senate and the ministry is the financial records of defunct local authorities running into trillions.

Senate has maintained the TA should be allowed to midwife the transition period. But Waiguru has insisted it should go.