BE FIRM ON OVERSIGHT WORK, SENATORS TELL MCAs Members of the County Assembly of Kakamega have been challenged to be steadfast in carrying out their oversight mandate so that public services are delivered by the county executive effectively, efficiently and with due regard for transformation of livelihoods. Kakamega senator Dr. Boni Khalwale reminded the MCAs that weak oversight always results in serious adverse consequences-poor governance and lack of development. “The issue of oversight should not be about political parties you belong to. Let us put aside political patronage and focus on what we were elected to do. We must work together as a united front for objective oversight work. We have a duty to ensure public funds are prudently used on sustainable projects and programs in all wards,” Senator Khalwale said. The Senator spoke during an interaction session with members of the County Assembly committee on Finance and Economic Planning in the Assembly’s chambers on Monday.

The Senate Standing committee on Finance and Budget in which Hon. Khalwale is a member is in Kakamega County to assess the status of pending bills on several road projects in Malava and Navakholo sub-counties.

The Committee’s chairperson Sen. (Cpt) Ali Roba is leading the senate delegation to physically visit several roads, which were flagged out by a report of Office of the Auditor –General as having pending bills. “We are on fact finding visit in Kakamega based on an audit report. This is in line with our mandate,” Sen.Roba stated. Others members of the senate committee - Hon. Tabitha Mutinda (V/Chair), Hon. Richard Onyonka and Eddy Oketch interacted members of the Assembly finance committee led by their chairperson Hon. Bonface Osanga on the best practices in carrying out legislative mandate.

Earlier in the morning, the senate delegation paid a courtesy call to the Speaker Hon. James Namatsi and had a brief interaction session, which centred on capacity building and long term programs of the Assembly. Present were the leader of majority, Hon. Philip Maina, chairperson Communication, e-Government, ICT and Library services committee, Hon. Eddie Obwaka, chairperson Public Accounts committee (PAC), chairperson monitoring and implementation committee , Hon. Absolom Andati, Ag clerk Esther Ariko, member of the Assembly Service Board, Mr. Rashid Nasoro and members of the Assembly committee on finance and economic planning. Technical teams from both the Senate and Assembly were also present.