The Senate’s Justice, Legal Affairs and Human Rights Committee, chaired by Bomet Senator Hillary Sigei, has convened a stakeholder retreat to gather views on the Constitution of Kenya (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which seeks to strengthen devolution by redefining the roles of the National Assembly and the Senate.
The bill, sponsored by Senate leadership, introduces key reforms including the creation of a County Assembly Fund under Article 199A.
The fund, to be drawn directly from the County Revenue Fund, would cover administrative expenses and other functions of county assemblies.
The County Assemblies Forum (CAF) welcomed the proposal, describing it as a game-changer for financial independence of devolved legislatures.
“We fully endorse the creation of the County Assembly Fund under Article 199A. This is a transformative step that will constitutionally guarantee the financial autonomy of county legislatures. By securing our funding, this provision empowers us to carry out our oversight and legislative mandates effectively, free from the influence of the county executive,” said CAF Chairperson Hon. Seth Kamanza.
However, CAF strongly opposed another proposed amendment under Article 96, which would expand the Senate’s oversight mandate to cover not only national revenue allocated to counties but also locally generated revenue.
“We must reject the proposal to extend the Senate’s oversight to locally generated county revenue. The oversight of funds raised within the county is the primary and constitutional duty of the County Assembly. This amendment would create a needless jurisdictional conflict,” Kamanza cautioned.
