NAIROBI, Kenya – ODM leader Raila Odinga has called for a clear separation of oversight roles in government, saying the responsibility of holding governors to account should rest with Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) rather than the Senate.
Speaking on Monday during a joint parliamentary group meeting bringing together ODM and UDA lawmakers, Raila criticised senators for what he termed as overstepping their mandate by summoning governors to answer questions, including those relating to road projects under the national government.
“Oversighting governors is the responsibility of MCAs, not the Senate. Senators are wasting the governor’s time, to come and answer questions about roads,” Raila said.
The former Prime Minister further urged for more development funds to be channelled directly to counties, insisting that Members of the National Assembly should focus strictly on legislation and oversight rather than development projects.
“Constituency is not an element of devolution. Devolution remains at the county. At the constituency, the county government does implementation of projects, while the national government implements national programmes,” Raila noted.
He argued that when MPs are involved in development projects such as school and road construction, accountability is compromised.
“MPs should not be involved in development. They are supposed to be oversighting. If you are involved in construction of schools and roads, who is going to oversight you?” Raila posed.
While acknowledging that MPs may not agree with him, Raila maintained that separating roles would strengthen accountability and ensure counties deliver on their devolved mandates.
