Broke Senate seeks financial assistance from World Bank

NAIROBI: After being denied oversight funds by the National Assembly, the Senate has sought financial assistance from the World Bank.

Senators want the World Bank to give them money to oversee devolution, arguing that their work has been paralysed by their peers in the National Assembly.

Yesterday, Senate Speaker Ekwee Ethuro and some senators met World Bank Country Director Diariétou Gaye and laid bare their woes, calling for closer co-operation between the Senate and World Bank.

“Instead of concentrating on why we were created, we have been fighting for survival. Change is never easy as people always resist,” said Mr Ethuro adding that the success of devolution hinges on the effectiveness of oversight structures created to oversee its implementation.

“It is important that that the structures in the new dispensation be allowed to do their work. In a democracy, institutions must work.” The senators’ move follows a decision by MPs to slash the Sh1 billion meant for the Senate during the current financial year, and allocate the funds to the counties as part of the Sh3.3 billion conditional grant.

“We have been fought all along. Recently, some money was allocated to the Senate for oversight but the amount was removed. Even the little that had been given was taken away. This has crippled us in our oversight role. It is important to strengthen the Senate,” Busia Senator Amos Wako said.