Rony Alal: Senate, governors fight bad for accountability

In recent months, tensions between governors and the Senate oversight committees have raised serious concerns about accountability in Kenya’s devolved system of governance.

What should be a constructive institutional relationship grounded in the Constitution is increasingly devolving into public confrontation, evasion, and, at times, outright defiance.

At the heart of this standoff lies a troubling trend: governors failing to appear before Senate committees when summoned to answer audit queries and explain the use of public funds.

While some governors argue that they deserve “respect” and “dignity” in how they are treated, such demands cannot override the fundamental principle of accountability. Appearing before oversight bodies is not a favour to the Senate; it is a constitutional obligation owed to the Kenyan people. When governors fail to honour summonses, they do not just undermine the Senate; they erode public trust.

Recent media reports, including exposés aired by NTV Kenya, have painted a disturbing picture of financial mismanagement in some counties. Cases of extravagant spending on non-essential items stand in stark contrast to negligible or even zero expenditure on development projects.

Equally concerning are claims by some governors that they possess incriminating evidence against members of Senate committees, allegations that, if true, suggest corruption within the very institutions tasked with enforcing accountability.

If there is credible evidence of wrongdoing by senators, it must be presented to the appropriate authorities for independent investigation. Failure to act on such claims raises serious ethical questions. Why withhold evidence of corruption? Why allow compromised individuals to continue serving in oversight roles? Such inaction borders on complicity and fuels a conspiracy of silence that undermines the graft fight.

As we approach the elections, citizens must be vigilant and hold leaders accountable. Electing leaders who evade scrutiny or prioritise personal comfort over service only perpetuates cycles of underdevelopment and inequality.

Governors must embrace oversight as an opportunity to demonstrate transparency, build public trust and showcase the impact of their work.

Follow our WhatsApp channel for breaking news updates and more stories like this.