The National Assembly on Thursday passed a resolution for the Auditor General Edward Ouko to undertake an audit into the illegal use of taxpayers money by offices of Senate majority and minority leaders.
The two Houses have had a long-standing feud over supremacy with the senate accusing the National Assembly of overstepping on their roles.
The row between the two houses skyrocketed when the senate threatened to seek legal redress on the 20 pieces of legislation that parliament passed without involving the senate.
Parliament, therefore, demanded that the Attorney General, Kihara Kariuki to provide an advisory opinion on the illegal expenditures incurred by senators as well as the mandate of the senate.
Parliament's decision was informed by the leader of majority Aden Duale and his minority colleague John Mbadi who accused the Senate of duplication of roles and encroachment on the mandate of the National Assembly.
“We are writing to the Auditor-General and Attorney-General why PSC has created offices in the Senate outside the constitution that have continuously been funded by the taxpayer,” ranted Duale.
Dualed further dug at the senators stating that, “They have started the war and the war must go to the logical conclusion. If it is determined that they spent the monies illegally we shall fundraise for them to ensure they pay back the monies.”
The bad blood between the two Houses came to light in June, when they needed to agree on the Division of Revenue Bill (DoRB) that flopped last at a mediation level so as not to infringe on the operations at the counties.
The National Assembly passed the Ksh3.02 trillion budget last month providing that Ksh1.95 trillion remain at the national level while Ksh310 billion to the counties.
However, senators wanted Ksh335 billion to the counties. The DoRB allocates revenue collected nationally between the two levels of government- national and county governments.
Duale urged CSs, whose ministerial functions do not concern counties to ignore the summons by the senators.
“These CSs have no business appearing before the Senate. They should ignore Senators. Anyone who appears before their committees risk a censure motion,” clarified Duale.
