The new dispensation that led to decentralisation of power and resources in Kenya’s 2010 constitution promulgation may collapse if Senate is not empowered for proper oversight of the county governments, a Kisii University don has warned.
This comes amidst several claims of financial impropriety and misappropriation in a number of county governments with the most recent being the county government of Meru which has been accused of spending Sh7 million to purchase curtains for Meru Hospital.
Speaking on Wednesday at a breakfast meeting with a delegation from the University of Pennsylvania, Prof John Akama said the current Senate was too weak to deal with cases pertaining county governments accused of corruption.
He called for amendment of the constitution to allow Senate act as a court to deal with corruption-related cases by giving a final determination.
“Devolution in our country can be a reality by it may crumble if the Senate’s powers aren’t properly defined. It’s ridiculous that Senate can impeach a governor and steal the individual remains in office. That will automatically make devolution collapse if Senate cannot make final determination,” he said.
According to him, many governors would prefer going to courts to block corruption-related cases against them due to the lope hole in the constitution.
“The constitution gives a provision for people to be heard in the court of law but on Governors, that should be revised. They will disowner Senate summons and block their prosecutions in court,” he added.
Akama was referring to Embu Governor Martin Wambora who was impeached twice by the Senate and successfully prevented his ouster through a court order.