Commission on Revenue Allocation supports devolution of more education functions

Chairman of Revenue Allocation Committeee Micah Cheserem addresses journalists in Nairobi after meeting with the Local Government Minister Musalia Mudavadi where he stated the committee's plans. [PHOTO:EVANS HABIL/STANDARD]

The Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) has supported calls by the Council of Governors to transfer more education functions to county governments.

CRA Chairman Micah Cheserem (pictured) said the national government should leave running of school infrastructure to counties, but retain management of teachers through the Teacher's Service Commission.

Speaking when he met members of Embu County Budget and Economic Forum while on a two-day tour of the county, Cheserem said county governments are best placed to assess the infrastructure needs of schools in their jurisdictions and act accordingly.

"I have visited schools that don't even have desks and where the environment is not conducive for learning.  I am sure given a chance, the county governments will rectify the situation," he said.

Governor Martin Wambora, who hosted the CRA team, said leaving management of primary and secondary school infrastructure to county governments will also spare parents the trouble of having to dig deep into their pockets to supplement development of physical facilities.

 road funds

However, Kenya National Union of Teachers and Kenya Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers opposed the move, arguing that governors had messed up the health sector and cannot be trusted to run the schools.

Cheserem also supported governors' push to have funds held by roads authorities channeled to county governments.

He said governors who have used county funds to tarmac roads that are under the Kenya Rural Roads Authority and Kenya Urban Roads Authority should get refunds. "I am urging the governors to continue with the road projects to ease movement and open up inaccessible areas," he said.