Senate summons Governor Nyong’o over Kisumu municipal crisis
By Aloys Michael, April 27, 2026The Senate Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations Committee has summoned Kisumu Governor Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o to appear before it over what lawmakers describe as a worsening governance crisis affecting municipal boards in Kisumu County.
The decision follows a committee session held on Monday, April 27, 2026, where municipal board chairpersons presented complaints claiming interference in their operations by the county executive and a breakdown in working relations that has hampered service delivery.
“We have heard your case. We will subsequently invite the Governor of Kisumu (Prof.) Anyang’ Nyong’o and all other governors to address these issues. If there is a lacuna in the Act, we will amend it to streamline the municipal boards’ functions fully,” the committee chairperson, Mohammed Abbas, said.
During the session, the municipal board leaders told the committee that their institutions were only receiving between 30 and 40 per cent of approved budgets, severely limiting their ability to implement urban projects and maintain essential services.
They further claim that senior county officials had been bypassing established board structures, directly issuing instructions on projects and expenditures, effectively reducing the boards to ceremonial bodies despite their legal mandate under the Kisumu County urban governance framework.
The officials also say that essential operational costs, including electricity, water, and stationery, were being deducted directly from their allocations by the county treasury, further straining their operations.
“We have heard your concerns, but any formal inquiry must be anchored on documentary evidence. We do not want to rely on rumours,” Senator Catherine Mumma said, urging the officials to submit detailed proof of the alleged violations.
The committee resolved to extend the probe beyond Kisumu, indicating that all 47 county governors would be summoned to address similar concerns, with Governor Nyong’o expected to be the first to appear.
Municipal boards, established under the Urban Areas and Cities Act, are mandated to manage cities and municipalities on behalf of county governments.
They oversee urban planning, infrastructure development, and service delivery, often supported through programs such as the Kenya Urban Support Program (KUSP).
The boards are composed of nine to eleven members, drawn from gubernatorial appointees as well as nominees representing professional bodies, the private sector, and resident associations.