This archive report was first published on 5 July 2019.
On July 4, 2019, the National Assembly passed a resolution calling for a special audit into alleged illegal expenditures by the Senate, further escalating a turf war between the two Houses.
The resolution, sponsored by leaders of the majority and minority parties, Aden Duale and John Mbadi, respectively, seeks to have Auditor-General Edward Ouko investigate the alleged illegal expenditures incurred by the Senate.
The move comes as the Senate threatens to seek legal redress over 20 pieces of legislation passed by the National Assembly without their input.
Attorney-General Kihara Kariuki has also been drawn into the feud, with the National Assembly seeking his advisory opinion on the mandate of the Senate and the alleged illegal expenditures.
Mr. Duale accused the Senate of duplicating roles and encroaching on the mandate of the National Assembly, citing Article 108 of the Constitution, which provides that the leader of the majority party in the National Assembly shall be the person who is the leader of the largest party or coalition of parties.
He also questioned why the Senate had established and continued to facilitate offices outside the Constitution and any other laws of Kenya.
Mr. Mbadi noted that the Senators have no business dealing with the disputed legislation as they do not concern counties, and that the issue of determining what bills concern counties is a matter between the two speakers and not a resolution of either House.
The National Assembly has passed a Sh3.02 trillion budget, providing Sh1.95 trillion for the national level and Sh310 billion for the counties, but the Senate wants Sh335 billion for the counties.
