The Senate of Kenya has launched an inquiry into a deepening governance crisis affecting municipal boards, with Kisumu County emerging as a focal point of concern.
The Senate Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations resolved to summon all 47 county governors to explain systemic challenges undermining the functioning of municipal boards established under Kenya’s devolved system. The move follows testimony from Kisumu municipal board chairpersons, who described a breakdown in coordination between the boards and the County Executive.
Led by chairperson Lordvick Otieno, representatives from Maseno-Holo, Muhoroni-Chemelili, Kombewa-Bodi, Ahero-Awasi, Katitu-Pap Onditi and Kisumu City municipal boards told senators that their legally defined autonomy is being eroded.
They argued that although municipal boards are recognized as semi-autonomous entities under the Urban Areas and Cities Act, their authority is routinely overridden by centralized county structures.
Otieno described a pattern where boards pass resolutions intended to guide urban management but lack the authority and financial capacity to implement them. As a result, board members are reduced to observers rather than decision-makers in local governance.
Funding gaps and operational paralysis
A key issue raised during the hearing was chronic underfunding. According to the chairpersons, municipal boards often receive only 30% to 40% of their approved budgets, crippling their operations.
Essential expenditures including electricity, water and administrative supplies are reportedly reduced by county treasury departments. This has led to operational paralysis in several municipalities.
The officials also alleged that municipal managers frequently bypass boards and report directly to County Executive Committee members, effectively sidelining statutory oversight structures.
The claims point to possible violations of the Public Finance Management Act, which outlines transparent and accountable management of public funds.
The committee, chaired by Senator Abbas Mohamed, emphasized that formal investigations must be grounded in verifiable evidence. Senators directed the Kisumu officials to submit detailed documentation demonstrating breaches of legal frameworks, including specific instances of financial mismanagement and administrative interference.
The committee indicated that similar concerns may be affecting other counties, prompting the decision to summon governors nationwide. The inquiry is expected to determine whether the challenges in Kisumu reflect a broader pattern across Kenya’s devolved units.
The unfolding probe highlights growing tension between county executives and municipal boards, raising questions about the effectiveness of governance structures established under devolution.
If substantiated, the allegations could trigger reforms aimed at strengthening institutional independence, ensuring adequate funding and reinforcing accountability mechanisms within municipal governance systems.
The Senate is expected to continue hearings in the coming weeks, with governors required to respond to concerns raised and outline corrective measures.
