Aasai

former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has criticized the senators due to their style of instructing the governors to appear before their committees to be responsible for the use of public money, saying that this is the responsibility of the county assemblies. Odinga, who is the leader of ODM yesterday described the behavior as a waste of time and public money, asking the senators to let the governors work.

Speaking yesterday at the Devolution Conference in Homa Bay county , Mr Odinga emphasizes that the responsibility to monitor the performance of county governments belongs to the county assemblies and not the Senate.“Senators should not order governors to appear before them. Its a waste of time. County parliaments should call governors and indeed those who should be called by the senate are county ministers,” said.

“No need. Governors should be given the opportunity to handle their responsibilities, not spend too much time in Nairobi responding to politically motivated invitations.”Mr Odinga also used the platform to criticize MPs and senators for abusing their responsibility to monitor the performance of the government for their political and financial benefit, saying that the situation undermines development.

“Contractors who lose tenders are now using councilors, parliamentarians and senators to continue the war.”Mr Odinga has criticized MPs and senators a day after President William Ruto attacked MPs claiming that they take bribes from heads of government organizations and organizations who are instructed to appear before their committees to answer questions on various issues.

While continuing his war against parliamentarians, Mr Odinga criticized the parliamentarians for insisting that they should manage the funds of various development funds.He cited the example of the Constituency Welfare Fund (NG-CDF) administered by members of parliament representing constituencies, and the National Equalization Fund (NGAAF) administered by County Representative Members of Parliament.

“It is not the job of parliamentarians to build schools and hospitals. This is the responsibility of the governors. The funds of NG-CDF and NGAAF should be left to the county governments and run along with other decentralized responsibilities,” explained. Odinga did not update the Judiciary saying there are allegations that some people bribe judges.

This has sparked a great debate in Kenya, some political analysts claiming that the move may contribute to the increase in corruption in county governments Odinga yesterday said that MCAS has the main responsibility to ensure that governors work and use county funds properly without creating  corruption spaces in the counties.