Kisumu governor Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o has been summoned by the Senate Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations Committee over what the committee terms a deepening governance crisis within municipal boards in Kisumu County.
The directive by the committee followed a successful meeting on Monday, April 27, during which municipal chairpersons appeared before the Senate committee.
According to the chairs, there is a total breakdown in relations between the boards and the County Executive, arguing that the executive has decided to control the boards, especially through systematic and financial ways, reducing the boards to mere agents of the executive on the ground.
Committee chairperson Mohammed Abbas announced that they will summon Nyong’o to respond to the queries, and the Senate will look into the issue.
“We have heard your case. We will subsequently invite the Governor of Kisumu (Prof.) Anyang’ Nyong’o and all other governors to address these issues. If there is a lacuna in the Act, we will amend it to streamline the municipal boards’ functions fully,” Abbas directed.
In petitions presented to the committee, the chairs allege that their boards receive only 30-40 percent of their approved budgets, crippling their ability to implement planned urban projects and maintain essential services within the municipalities.
They further claim that senior county officials routinely bypass board structures, directly issuing instructions on projects and expenditures that effectively render the boards ceremonial despite their legal mandate under the Kisumu County Government framework for urban governance.
The officials also argue that essential operational costs, such as electricity, water, and stationery, are routinely deducted from their allocations by the county treasury.
Despite the claims, the committee cautioned that any formal inquiry must be anchored in documentary evidence rather than verbal grievances, and further directed the officials to return with specific proof of the alleged breaches.
“Even before you came, the committee was concerned about the implementation of the Urban Areas and Cities Act. Clearly, this will trigger that conversation. So, give us better particulars, as guided, so that even when we are discussing, we don’t want to discuss rumors,” stated Senator Catherine Mumma.
The committee also resolved to summon all 47 county governors, starting with Nyong’o, to ensure that county governments do not use their powers to obstruct the legal functions of municipal boards.
Municipal boards are authorised bodies under the Urban Areas and Cities Act that manage cities and municipalities on behalf of county governments.
The boards mainly oversee urban development policies, enhance service delivery, and manage infrastructure development projects, often funded by the Kenya Urban Support Program (KUSP).
The boards consist of between 9 and 11 members, comprising appointees of the county governor and nominees from local professional, private-sector, and resident associations-Kenyans.co.ke.