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{
    "id": 481439,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/481439/?format=api",
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    "content": "cordial relationship within the County of Mombasa. I did this with the full knowledge that it is imperative that the governors and the Senators must work together to ensure harmony in devolution as critical in ensuring that devolution succeeds. Mr. Speaker, Sir, as the Vice Chairperson of this Committee and other Committee Members, we can attest to the fact that we have been dragged through one instance of adjournment to another. It has been an expensive affair both in terms of the time, travel and convenience of the Senate. Some of these adjournments or lack of presentations to the Committee are done in total disregard of even decency and courtesy, where somebody would communicate in good time. Officers of the county assemblies or executive will allude to a myriad of excuses as to why some of the governors are unable to attend the sessions of the Committee. Mr. Speaker, Sir, governors must realize that even their executive functions come with responsibilities. Kenyans must hold them to account and one of the institutions provided to hold governors to account is the Senate. We have the responsibility over the resources that are utilized in the counties. In that regard, this Senate cannot abdicate its own mandate. The Senate will ensure that governors account for every resource and penny that comes from the taxpayers. Mr. Speaker, Sir, it would be a travesty or tragedy to the very public trust that we have for governors to continue to avoid spheres of responsibility and expect monies to keep flowing to them. This action which has been proposed by the Chairperson of our Committee is one of those areas where we are trying to fully appreciate the provisions of the Constitution, where the Senate and Parliament in its totality can assert its authority over people who think that this devolution was just about giving them positions without responsibility and accountability. Mr. Speaker, Sir, I particularly chaired the session when the Governor for Murang’a was expected to appear before us. In our usual decorum in the Committee, we invited the Senators from that county. There was Sen. Kembi-Gitura, who is also the Deputy Speaker and Sen. Martha Wangari who is a Nominated Senator. They appeared before that Committee, simply as a matter of courtesy to ensure that we had the kind of collegiate responsibility moving forward. However, we were treated to a myriad of excuses. We did believe at that point in time that it was not intentional and we extended an olive branch and other invitations to the Governor. But, again, these invitations were futile. I, therefore, wish that this Senate considers this Motion. This Motion should be acted upon with immediate effect, as is the provision of the Constitution, so that further transfer of funds to these particular counties of Bomet, Kisumu, Kiambu and Murang’a is stopped, until such time when the monies that were given in the previous financial circle are accounted for. We, as the Senate, and other authorities, including the National Treasury, should be satisfied that due diligence and accountability has been given with regard to the monies allocated to those counties. Mr. Speaker, Sir, this is not to mean that we, as a Committee or Senate, are on a war path with governors. If anything it does not take away the fact that the governors and The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}