Senators have accused the National Assembly of frustrating the smooth transition of national government functions that were to be passed to counties.
Speaker Ekwee Ethuro said on Tuesday that the August House has been passing Bills without the input of the senate hence threatening devolution process.
He said in Mombasa, when he officially opened the Senate/County Assemblies Forum legislative summit, that the situation has hampered timely enactment of required legislation.
Ethuro
said most challenges posed by miscommunication between the two houses have been resolved but there are those that 'remain a thorn in the flesh'.
"In fact, there are several items in the Fifth Schedule that have been passed behind the scheduled time," he said.
"The National Assembly has enacted 42 Acts without the necessary input of the Senate, prompting judicial recourse. This does not make or promote cordial relations and may threaten devolution," he said.
The Speaker challenged senators and members of the county assembly to lead the way in fighting corruption in the devolved units.
He said Kenyans expect and deserve efficient, effective and timely service delivery both at the national and county levels.
"Corruption in whatever sector and whichever level must be ruthlessly eradicated before it bleeds Kenyans to death," he added.
Ethuro further cautioned MCAs against impeaching governors on 'frivolous and trivial' grounds.
"One of the challenges to devolution and democracy is determining the suitability of leaders. A proper mechanism must therefore be established towards solving legitimate concerns," he said.
He assured the summit that the senate will play its oversight role as well as ensure counties get resources to run their affairs on time.
For his part, Senate Majority Leader Kithure Kindiki said the biggest threats to devolution was corruption and 'big man syndrome'.
Kindiki told MCAs to step up their oversight role by curbing looting of public resources.
“Devolution was not put in place to create 'demigods' in the counties,” Kindiki said.
Senate Minority Leader Moses Wetang'ula said county assemblies should be made financially independent from governors.
The Bungoma senator, who decried extravagance in counties, expressed fears that some governors risked giving devolution a bad name.
Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar said senators and MCAs should work closely to make sure governors account for resources allocated to them.