Governors must appear before Senate, Muranga legislators say

A section of Murang’a leaders have warned Governors against defying  summons by the Senate Public Accounts Committee (PAC).

Led by Deputy Senate Speaker Kembi Gitura, the leaders said the County Chiefs must answer questions on utilization of funds allocated to their counties.

Speaking during the consecration of Peter Kamau Mburu as the new bishop of Bible Fellowship Diocese of Murang’a in Kangare, Kigumo Constituency, the Deputy Senate Speaker said no amount of intimidation will stop him from questioning how Murang’a County Government spent its allocation.

Senator Gitura said the Senate had in the year 2016/17 budget approved a total of Ksh 302 billion to all counties, with Murang’a County receiving Ksh 5.7 billion.

Gitura said he had every right to know how the Ksh 5.7 billion will be used adding that there was no reason for the Governors to abuse Senators whenever they raised issues on spending.

“For the last three years, this County received Ksh 20 billion and we must question how it has been spent, whether they decide to answer today or whatever time,” Kembi Said.

Gitura reiterated that it was the Senator’s task to take care of the county funds adding that it was wrong for some Governors to imagine they cannot be questioned.

He also took time to explain the different functions of all elected Members in Parliament and County assembly saying unlike MPs who had CDF kitty, Senators job is to purely check the counties.

On his part Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau said Governors must follow the Constitution and appear before Senate committees adding that Senate was the only body mandated to audit their spending.

Kamau, who is eyeing Murang’a County Gubernatorial seat, said if unchecked, the counties would become dens of corruption.

The Kigumo legislator asked those intending to vie on a Jubilee party ticket to be ready for a tough contest as they will be elected based on their delivery and capacity.

With Ababu Namwamba and some Western MPs embroiled in a controversy with CORD leadership, Kamau told leaders feeling shortchanged by the opposition to jump ship and join Jubilee “where they will get a fair treatment.”