• “Governors must stop thinking that the money that comes to counties is theirs,” he said. “It is for the benefit of the people,” he said.

Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana is urging county governors across Kenya to embrace oversight and transparency as pillars of sustainable development. He views Senators as not adversaries, but rather allies in accountability.

Speaking during a panel discussion on August 14, 2025 during the Devolution Conference 2025 in Homa Bay County, Senator Mungatana emphasizes that for counties to thrive, governors must stop perceiving senators as political threats. Instead, they should welcome their input as part of a healthy democratic process.

“Governors must stop thinking that the money that comes to counties is theirs,” he said. “It is for the benefit of the people,” he said.

He argues that full transparency in governance is non-negotiable. According to him, when oversight is embraced rather than resisted, counties become more accountable and better equipped to manage public resources.

Mungatana is advocating for a “reset” in how county leadership interacts with oversight institutions. He believes that constructive criticism from senators should be seen as a tool for growth, not conflict.

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“Senators are not fighting you,” he noted. “If this mindset is applied, counties will begin to account for the money they receive, and the systems will sustain themselves.”

The senator also touched on the role of human rights defenders and civil society organizations (CSOs) in county governance. He lamented that many governors view these groups with suspicion, simply because they speak truth to power.

“Most governors do not like human rights defenders because they tell them the truth,” he said.

Mungatana called for greater inclusivity, urging county governments to open their doors to Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and allow them to participate meaningfully in governance. He stressed that many senators have no interest in gubernatorial ambitions, and should not be seen as rivals.

“If that attitude is accepted, we are going to have better counties, better human rights records, and stronger civil society organizations.”