Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has reignited debate over the oversight of county governments, faulting the Senate’s practice of summoning governors to appear before committees in Nairobi.

Speaking at the 2025 Devolution Conference in Homa Bay on August 14, 2025, the ODM leader maintained that county assemblies, not the Senate, are the constitutionally mandated bodies to oversee county governments. He dismissed the summons as unnecessary and disruptive to county operations.

“County governments are supposed to be overseen by county assemblies, not the Senate. It’s unnecessary for the Senate to be summoning governors to go appear before senators in Nairobi,” he said.

Local oversight

Raila reiterated his support for a robust devolution system, insisting that its foundations must be strengthened rather than diluted. He called for a proper balance of power between Nairobi and the counties, with each level of government respecting the other’s mandate.

“I believe in devolution; I believe in more, not less, devolution. I believe in a balance of power between Nairobi and the counties; none should stand in the way of the other,” he said.

The ODM leader proposed that only the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and the Public Investments Committee (PIC) should have the authority to summon county officials, and even then, the chief executives of county governments, rather than the governors themselves. This, he argued, would streamline oversight and allow governors to focus on service delivery and development within their jurisdictions.

Pushback against national control

Odinga also took aim at the national government, accusing it of micromanaging counties. He urged leaders to defend county autonomy and resist overreach from Nairobi.

“We have to cut the controlling hand of the National Government. We must push the national government to stop micromanaging the counties. We must fight off the National Government’s instinct to hold power and resources,” he said.

His remarks come amid ongoing concerns from county chiefs over resource allocation delays, interference in local projects, and the frequency of summons to the capital for hearings and enquiries.

Honouring father of devolution

Raila paid tribute to the late Odhiambo Mbai, crediting him as the intellectual architect of Kenya’s devolution framework.

“Odhiambo Mbai was the architect of devolution. I was passionate about devolution, but Mbai had understood it better than anybody else,” he said.

The debate over Senate oversight is expected to remain a hot topic, with Odinga’s intervention likely to influence discussions on redefining the relationship between the two levels of government. His call for a shift in power dynamics is aimed at reinforcing county autonomy and making devolution more effective for citizens across the country.