By Joshua Khisa

Constitutional lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi has called for the setting up of a commission of inquiry that will be mandated to audit the first decade of devolution.

Devolution came into force in 2013 following the promulgation of the constitution in 2010 – which led to the creation of 47 counties.

Management of counties have however faced claims of misuse of public resources and massive corruption.

Several former and current governors are currently being probed for corruption.

Responding to reports that former Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi was among those under probe, the Senior Counsel said there are more that should also face the probe.

But even as he calls for a commission of inquiry to be set up to probe the first two decades of devolution, Ahmednassir notes that individuals who have been the beneficiaries of graft in counties might not allow it to happen.

“CRAZY KENYA!!! Ksh 140 billion for Kilifi in 10 years…and nothing to show for it? What of Nairobi, Mombasa, Garissa, Homa Bay…etc,” the constitutional lawyer said in part of a post on X.

“Obviously, we need a commission of inquiry to audit the first decade of devolution…but those who EAT our money won’t allow it!!!” he added.

The Senate County Public Accounts Committee earlier this week called for Kingi, now Senate Speaker to account for over Ksh140 billion that his administration received for the 10-year period.

Further, the Senators directed the Auditor General’s office to conduct a thorough audit of the legal fees paid to lawyers and pending bills accrued during Kingi’s tenure. This is after it emerged that the county government of  Kilifi had a Ksh1.1 billion pending bills in legal fees, an amount owed to one law firm that had rendered services during Kingi’s tenure.

Last month, it was revealed that former Turkana Governor Josphat Nanok was also under probe over the use of Ksh100 billion that the county received.

Senators noted that there were several stalled projects in the county that had already used billions of taxpayers’ money.

Nanok is currently the State House Deputy Chief of Staff.