A fresh Senate Bill seeks to hold Governors accountable for mismanagement in office, even years after leaving office.
The County Governments Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025 sponsored by Garissa Senator Abdul Haji seeks to enhance maximum oversight of county governments through setting clear timelines for appointments, administration of payrolls, and adoption of stringent accountability measures.
The Bill instructs the Auditor General to undertake a thorough audit of all county public services every 10 years. The audits will review compliance with Article 232 of the Constitution, which highlights professionalism, transparency, accountability, efficiency, merit-based recruitment, public participation, and equitable representation.
“Within six months after the end of every 10 years, the Auditor General shall conduct a county public service audit in every county government to assess compliance with Article 232 of the Constitution and Part VII of this Act,” the Bill states.
Findings to Be Tableted Before Senate
The audit findings will be presented to the Senate and relevant county assemblies for debate and action. This means retired governors could be summoned or investigated by anti-graft agencies over irregularities that happened during their tenure.
The first round of audits would be conducted within six months of the Bill becoming law.
“Within three months after receiving the audit report, the Senate and the relevant county assembly shall debate and consider the report and take appropriate action,” the Bill reads.
Timelines for Executive Appointments
The bill further plugs governance loopholes by presenting strict timelines for nominating county executive committee members. The governors would be required to make the nominations within 14 days after swearing into office, and the county assemblies would have 21 days to pass or reject them.
“A county governor shall, within 14 days of being sworn into office, nominate and deliver to the respective county assembly clerk the names of persons proposed for appointment as members of the executive committee,” the Bill states.
Currently, the law does not impose timelines, a loophole that has left some counties without executives for months, slowing down service delivery.
“The lack of a timeline for appointing qualified persons to these critical positions has led to inefficiency in service delivery,” the Bill notes.
Cap on Chief Officers and Annual State of County Address
To control ballooning wage bills, the Bill introduces a cap of 20 chief officers per county, a move that prevents governors from appointing excessive numbers. Some governors have previously named up to 30 officers, straining county budgets.
It also proposes that chief officers’ terms align with those of the governors who appoint them, ensuring smoother transitions.
The reforms further target county public service boards to reduce delays and eliminate conflicts with governors, enforcing better compliance with Section 59 of the County Governments Act.
Additionally, governors would be required to deliver an annual State of the County Address before the county assembly. This measure shifts accountability to the proper forum, replacing the tradition of separate political rallies.
If enacted, the Bill will not only enforce timely governance and accountability for sitting governors but also create lasting mechanisms to hold former county leaders responsible for their actions while in office.
