Vihiga Governor Wilberforce Otichillo /HANDOUT
The Senate Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations has raised concerns over governance, operational and financial shortcomings affecting Vihiga Municipality, warning that excessive control by the county government is hindering effective urban service delivery.
The concerns emerged during a meeting on Monday between the committee and Vihiga Governor Wilberforce Otichillo at Parliament Buildings. The session was convened to examine the governance, operations and financial autonomy of municipalities within the county following findings that several municipalities across the country remain non-operational despite being granted municipal charters.
Lawmakers cited legal inconsistencies, low budget absorption and the centralisation of key municipal functions by the Vihiga county executive as major obstacles to the municipality's effective functioning.
A key issue raised was the county's use of a legal framework that "transferred" functions to Vihiga Municipality instead of delegating them as required under Sections 20 and 21 of the Urban Areas and Cities Act.
Vice chairperson of the committee, Senator Catherine Mumma, said the law only allows counties to delegate authority while maintaining oversight over municipalities.
"The contemplation is that the county government is delegated. Municipalities are part of the county government entities which are operating as quasi-autonomous. So, it was never about transfer," Mumma said.
The committee also criticised the executive for retaining control over revenue collection, budgeting and human resource management, arguing that the arrangement undermines the municipality's autonomy.
Governor Otichillo acknowledged that the municipality does not independently collect revenue, explaining that the function remains under the County Government's Department of Finance and Economic Planning.
"Revenue-raising and revenue collection functions have not been delegated to the Vihiga Municipality. These functions are undertaken centrally by the County Government of Vihiga through the Department of Finance and Economic Planning," the governor told the committee.
Senators warned that without financial independence, municipalities cannot effectively deliver services to residents.
"If the municipality is to operate, revenue collection is a key aspect. If they do not collect revenue, then I can imagine what that institution is looking like. Completely handcuffed," Nominated Senator Peris Tobiko said.
Otichillo admitted that centralised budget execution and revenue collection have created friction between the County Executive and the municipal board.
The committee directed the Vihiga County Executive to align its gazetted municipal functions with the Urban Areas and Cities Act, develop objective funding criteria and submit clear and consistent reports on the municipality's financial performance.
The senators said addressing the identified governance and financial gaps is essential to strengthening municipal autonomy, improving accountability and ensuring efficient delivery of urban services to residents of Vihiga county.
