Governors must run the counties efficiently

The curtains came down on the third Devolution Conference in Meru on Friday, and from the discussions that emerged in plenary it was clear that governors will have their hands full as they try to handle public expectations before the next symposium.

There was concern in some quarters that some of the extraneous issues that emerged during the course of the conference delegated many of the important issues that needed to be thrashed out, to the back seat. But when the drama ended, these issues were well articulated.

The absence of the top leadership — President Uhuru Kenyatta, Deputy President William Ruto and most members of the Cabinet — was pointedly noted, but whether this had some significance to the quality of the discussions is a moot point if the issues that emerged are anything to go by. Perhaps the absence of senators, who complained that they were left out of the planning process, and legislators would have taken attention away from some the issues that needed to addressed.

At the end of the conference, the governors came out with 16 resolutions which, if implemented, would certainly contribute to entrenching devolution in Kenya.

One of the resolutions that will need great attention was the commitment by governors to give women and youth a bigger voice in determining issues that affect them in areas of health and agriculture. It was acknowledged that civic education to improve public participation would help these marginalised groups make greater contribution to development.

Governors must be encouraged to increase the threshold of public participation in the affairs of counties — this is a national value that is captured in the Constitution.

There were several resolutions that in one way or another sought to streamline the sharing of revenue between the County Government and the National Government, with a commitment that this issue must be clarified. The Council of Governors was clear that disbursement of funds from the National Treasury to the counties must be timely. We agree with the governors because this has been a sticking point for far too long and has threatened the smooth running of county administrations.

The governors also resolved that they would seek a review of the transfer of devolved functions —although the Constitution is clear about this, the council has in the past gone to court when it has felt that the national government had been reluctant to cede control to the local administration.

We must urge the National Government to work with county governments to streamline this process and increase efficiency, otherwise service delivery will be compromised.