By VPPS
The next Government must ensure that devolution becomes a reality in the governance of country, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has said.
The VP said devolution of power and resources will ensure that the country achieves social and economic transformation at a much faster rate because counties would provide more avenues for job and wealth creation.
The VP, however, cautioned that as the nation focuses on devolution, care must be taken to ensure that corruption and mismanagement are not “devolved” as well.
While speaking in the twin cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis in the state of Minnesota in the United States, he called on Kenyans living abroad to consider deploying their skills and expertise to the envisaged county governments in order to boost their capacities.
“County governments will in the long run provide the much needed growth centres for our economy, enabling us to achieve Vision 2030 ahead of time. It is imperative therefore that no one is allowed to go and plunder resources available at the county level.
In line with devolution, the VP said the upcoming land reforms should ensure that available land is well utilised for agricultural production and cottage industries as well as manufacturing for value addition of Agricultural products will ensure that urbanisation takes place in the counties thereby reducing rural-urban migration.
“I call on you to go straight to the counties and set up food processing plants, water bottling companies and even plants for manufacturing construction materials using experience you have gained abroad. These will create jobs for our people and wealth for you.” Kalonzo said.
The residents of Minnesota engaged the VP in an animated dialogue over a wide range of issues from economic management, respect of human rights and the fight against corruption, nepotism and negative ethnicity.
Kamukunji MP, Yusuf Hassan who is accompanying the VP together with Kibwezi MP Philip Kaloki, praised Kalonzo as a visionary leader who espoused family values, integrity and servant leadership.
He said if he is elected president, he would be trusted to implement the new constitution and continue with President Kibaki’s legacy.
Earlier, while addressing Kenyans living and working in Atlanta Georgia, Kalonzo said the on going reforms in the judiciary and the police force are intended to inspire confidence in the rule of law among Kenyans.
“We want to avoid a situation where Kenyans take laws in their own hands because they have lost faith in the institutions that guarantees the rule of law.” He added.
He urged Kenyans living in the Diaspora to play a leading role in efforts to reconcile and heal the communities they come from. “You are the best examples of de-tribalised Kenyans, and therefore, better place to preach peace and reconciliation.
The Kenyans demanded that polling stations be setup in several states and not only at the Kenyan Embassy in Washington if they were to take part fully in coming general elections.
Kibwezi MP Philip Kaloki said dual citizen was now a reality, a fulfillment of one of the major demands by Kenyans living abroad, prior to the enactment of the new constitution.
Some of the members of the audience however felt the dual citizenship provisioned under the new constitution discriminates against those who intend to run for public offices.
