The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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Governors risk facing accountability long after leaving office if a new law on auditing their administrations is passed.
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The County Governments Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2025, sponsored by Garissa Senator Abdul Haji, seeks to introduce mandatory audits of county public service every 10 years.
Under the proposal, the Auditor General would review compliance with constitutional principles such as integrity, efficiency, accountability, transparency, inclusivity, and merit-based appointments.
The first audit would take place within six months of the Bill’s enactment, with findings submitted to the Senate and respective county assemblies for debate and possible action. Retired governors could be summoned by oversight bodies or even probed by anti-graft agencies if irregularities are found.
The Bill also compels governors to nominate county executives within 14 days of assuming office, with assemblies required to vet and approve nominees within 21 days. This seeks to end a loophole that has allowed governors to run counties without executives for months.
To rein in ballooning wage bills, the proposed law caps the number of executive committee members at 20, tying their terms to that of the governor. It further amends provisions on county public service boards to reduce delays and conflicts in appointments.
Another requirement is for governors to give annual state-of-the-county addresses before their assemblies, ensuring the updates are made in the proper forum rather than political rallies.
If passed, the Bill would overhaul county governance by enforcing accountability, limiting bloated cabinets, and ensuring swift appointments.
