Accountants back devolved system despite heavy cost


Published on 26/11/2009

By Maureen Mudi and Anderson Ojwang’

The Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (Icpak) says the proposed devolved government structure might be too expensive.

Icpak CEO Caroline Kigen said it could be a costly affair due to the resources needed, but that was the price of democracy.

Ms Kigen said the cost would be in terms of the many people required to manage and run the different levels of Government.

She, however, asked Kenyans to support the devolved structure and embrace good governance practices at all levels.

"There is a lot of untapped potential here. The proposed structure would deviate from the current system where resources are collected across the nation into one basket and distributed through one channel," she said.

Kigen said implementation of the devolved structure should meet minimum expectations of accountability through ensuring roles at each level are clearly defined.

Resource allocation

She noted devolution as proposed in the draft constitution implies power and resources getting decentralised from one focal point to various localised centres.

"Similarly, in a centralised system of government, there exists just one centre of power charged with the responsibility of overseeing the development of the nation.

Devolution, however, prescribes decision making is transferred to the people through locally established assemblies," she said.

She added a devolved structure gives people an opportunity to manage their own affairs and understand their priorities in a way a central Government may not be able to.

Meanwhile, the Kenya Medical Association says the draft constitution has failed to provide for a health service commission as was provided for in the Bomas and Wako documents.

KMA National Chairman Andrew Juma Sule and a Kisumu doctor Otieno Obondi said the omission should be reviewed. They said the draft does not take care of the interests of health workers.

"We accept the draft, but we are sad it has ignored creation of a health service commission. We will present our view to the Committee of Experts," said Dr Sule.

He said several doctors and health practitioners had voiced concern over the matter.

He said the commission would help address the perennial crisis in the health sector and regulate it for effective service delivery.

 

 

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