Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has tabled a motion in the Senate seeking to compel the National Treasury to grant Senators real-time access to the Integrated Financial Management Information System (IFMIS) records for all counties, saying the move is critical to strengthening oversight of public spending.

Writing on X on Saturday, July 18, 2026, Omtatah has noted that the motion, anchored on Articles 96 and 217 of the Constitution, argues that effective oversight of county governments cannot be achieved through delayed financial reports released after public funds have already been spent.

The senator behind the proposal said timely access to IFMIS data would enable the Senate to monitor expenditure as it occurs, detect irregularities early, and enhance accountability in the use of public resources.

“Pursuant to Articles 96 and 217 of the Constitution, I have moved a motion in the Senate to compel the National Treasury to provide senators with real-time IFMIS reports for every county. Effective oversight cannot rely on delayed reports long after public funds have been spent,” Omtatah said.

Omtatah pushes for transparency in county expenditure

The legislator has maintained that transparency starts with immediate access to financial information, arguing that senators cannot effectively protect county resources if they only receive expenditure reports after transactions have been completed.

“Transparency begins with timely access to information. If senators are to protect county resources and hold governments accountable, we must see public expenditure as it happens, not after the damage is done,” the senator added.

The proposal concludes with a call for greater openness in public finance management, insisting that “No accountability without transparency. No transparency without real-time access.”

If adopted, the motion could significantly expand the Senate’s oversight role by allowing legislators to monitor county expenditure continuously through IFMIS, the government’s financial management platform.