Committee devolves government to regions

By Jibril Adan

The Kilaguni draft recommends a devolved government based at the regional level as opposed to the Wako draft, which proposed district-based governments.

The committee of experts has refined earlier proposals to come up with a system acceptable to all.

It recommends 14 regions broadly based on current provincial boundaries.

Rift Valley, Nyanza and Eastern are some of the provinces that would be broken up into smaller regions.

One of the aims of the devolved governments is to "facilitate decentralisation of State organs, their functions or services from the capital and to promote people’s participation decision making.

Separation of powers

It is also meant to enhance checks and balances and separation of powers. The draft says the powers of the regional government would be vested in the regional assembly.

The regions would be comprised of counties and each county would elect three delegates to the regional assembly, Nairobi would have four counties. A regional executive committee shall exercise executive authority in each region.

These committees will consist of a regional governor elected in accordance with the law, a deputy regional governor and not more than five other members. Election of governors would be through an Electoral College system where members of county assemblies will vote.

Direct election

In the case of Nairobi, the mayor would be governor, assisted by deputy mayor. The mayor and his deputy would be elected directly by city residents. An Act of Parliament will prescribe details of how the mayor and his deputy will be elected.

County assemblies and regional governments are supposed to manage their affairs in accordance with national law.

If a conflict arises between regional and national laws, the national law will prevail.

 

 

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