County Assemblies lack the capacity to effectively execute their oversight functions, a report launched on Thursday shows.
The report, 'Eye on County Assemblies: A study on the performance of County Assemblies oversight functions, a decade later', was released by Mzalendo Trust.
The report, which surveyed all 47 counties, revealed a mixed picture of progress.
According to the report, county assemblies have limited capacity, particularly in areas such as auditing and holding the county executive accountable.
For instance, county assemblies face challenges in summoning executives, such as governors or County Executive Committee members (CECs) to answer questions, often facing delays or outright disregard for their summonses.
"While the Parliament has strong powers to oversee the Executive, this oversight is often undermined at the county level due to limited resources and insufficient legal backing,” Mzalendo Trust Executive Director Caroline Gaita said.
On his part, Baringo County Assembly Speaker Vincent Kemboi said while county assemblies have the same constitutional powers as Parliament, this is not always reflected in practice.
He further noted that financial independence remains a major hurdle.
“Often, county executives deliberately delay the disbursement of funds to frustrate oversight, which puts MCAs in a difficult position where they must choose between advocating for citizens' interests or ensuring their own salaries are paid on time,” Kemboi said.
The report also highlights the lack of professional capacity within county assemblies, with MCAs and assembly staff often lacking the expertise to properly scrutinise budgets or investigate issues within county governments.
Kemboi said most county assemblies do not have the budget or professional expertise to hire the necessary consultants to properly assess projects and policies.
“Without the capacity to analyse issues independently, MCAs are left vulnerable to manipulation by the executive,” Kemboi said.
The report recommends the urgent need for continuous capacity building for MCAs and their support staff.
It warns that without proper training and resources, oversight remains weak and ineffective, undermining the principles of devolution itself.
“Devolution was meant to bring government closer to the people, but if county assemblies are not empowered, citizens remain disconnected from the decision-making processes that affect their daily lives,” Gaita said.
Gaita said the Trust will work with various stakeholders, including the Senate, the Council of Governors, and the County Assemblies Forum to implement the report's recommendations.
She noted that implementation of the report will ensure that county assemblies are properly resourced, equipped, and empowered to carry out their oversight duties effectively.
Mzalendo Trust hopes to spark a national conversation on the need to strengthen county assemblies and enhance citizen engagement in the devolved governance system.
“We want citizens to understand that county assemblies hold the same critical powers as the national parliament and should be held to the same level of accountability,” Gaita said.
The report aimed to evaluate the performance of county assemblies in overseeing the devolved governance structures across the country.
The report, which highlights both successes and challenges in the oversight role of county assemblies, marks a significant milestone in the organisation’s decade-long work to promote accountable and inclusive parliaments at both national and county levels.
