Meru Senator Kathuri Murungi
Meru Senator Kathuri Murungi has called on MCAs to play their oversight role without fear or favouy.
While lauding President William Ruto for assenting to a landmark bill that grants fiscal and administrative independence to county assemblies across the country, Kathuri urged MCAs to carry out their oversight roles without being beholden to county governors.
The bill, authored by Kathuri, aims to empower the 47 county assemblies by providing them with direct access to funds.
“I am extremely grateful to the President for assenting to the bill I presented before the Senate. I also thank the Senate management committee, led by Speaker Amason Kingi, the legal team, and the National Assembly for their support in ensuring this bill became law,” Kathuri said.
Previously, Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) were required to seek approval from governors to access operational funds, a situation Murungi described as undermining their autonomy.
“MCAs were forced to beseech the governors for approval of compulsory funds,” he said .
Kathuri added that the new law ensures county assemblies receive funds directly from County Revenue Accounts.
Murungi emphasized that the move will reduce conflict between county executives and legislatures.
“Where there’s bad blood between the executive and the legislature, development is hampered. This law now enables assemblies to plan quarterly projects and execute their oversight role effectively,” he said.
Kathuri recalled how Members of Parliament in the 1980s faced similar challenges.
“Back then, MPs had to literally bow before the President to get funds for committee work. Their oversight capacity was severely diminished until the Parliamentary Service Act was passed,” he said.
The Senator called on county assemblies to ensure that all funds disbursed are used prudently to support the growth of devolution.
On August 13, 2025, Ruto signed into law the County Allocation of Revenue Bill, 2025 and the County Public Finance Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2023.
This significantly increases the equitable share of national revenue to counties from Sh387.4 billion to Sh415 billion for the 2025/2026 financial year.
