The Senate has raised questions over Murang’a County’s management of municipal revenue and governance frameworks, urging the devolved unit to align its operations with statutory laws.

The Senate Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations raised the concerns during a sitting with Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata on Monday, July 27, 2026.

In a statement shared on the Senate’s Facebook account, the committee was assessing the governance frameworks of Murang’a, Kenol and Kangari municipalities, including their compliance with the Urban Areas and Cities Act and the Public Finance Management (PFM) Act.

“The Senate Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations has directed Murang’a County to align its operationalization and revenue frameworks with statutory laws,” Statement Said.

Senators question municipal charters

The committee, chaired by Wajir Senator Mohamed Abbas, directed the county to address gaps in the operationalisation of its municipal structures and revenue frameworks to ensure the boards achieve fiscal autonomy and effectively deliver services to residents.

Senators questioned delays in the gazettement of municipal charters, with some taking up to three years.

“Why take so long to gazette municipalities?” Marsabit Senator Mohamed Chute asked.

Lawmakers also raised concerns over the use of the term “transferring” instead of “delegating” municipal functions in county documents.

“In your gazette notices, you make reference to transferring a function yet the law expects you to delegate,” committee Vice Chairperson Senator Catherine Mumma said.

Governor Kang’ata acknowledged the wording as an administrative error and assured the committee that municipal managers oversee dedicated local revenue collectors.

Millions collected from municipalities

Financial data presented to the committee showed that the three municipalities generated significant local revenue during the 2025/26 financial year.

Kenol Municipality collected Ksh128.3 million, followed by Murang’a Municipality with Ksh117.2 million, while Kangari Municipality collected Ksh48.3 million.

However, senators raised concerns over low budget utilisation and the pooling of municipal revenue into the County Revenue Fund (CRF).

Kang’ata argued that automated revenue collection systems make separate physical accounts unnecessary since electronic records can track the source of funds.

Senators, however, rejected the approach, insisting that the law must be followed.

“We cannot apply the law selectively,” Senator Peris Tobiko said, citing Section 179 of the PFM Act, which requires municipalities to maintain independent accounts, prepare separate budgets and manage their own implementation.

Committee to monitor county progress

Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu, who attended the sitting as a friend of the committee, also raised concerns over physical planning, cemeteries and recreational spaces in rapidly expanding urban centres such as Kenol.

Kang’ata assured the committee that Kenol operates under an approved plan with designated spaces for playfields, cemeteries and an industrial park.

He also said access roads had been prioritised for infrastructure upgrades.

The committee resolved to closely monitor Murang’a County’s progress as the executive works to correct administrative errors and ensure municipal revenues support local development and public services.