By Patrick Beja??

KENYA: Transition to a devolved system of government will cost taxpayers Sh5 billion, Transition Authority Chairman Kinuthia Wamwangi has said.

Mr Wamwangi said the money would be spent on training personnel, building structures, and creating a register of assets among other functions.

The Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution (CIC) and the Transition Authority (TA) said they are racing against time to put in place structures to ensure a smooth transition.

CIC chairman Charles Nyachae and Wamwangi said they are finalising guidelines to anchor the new structures for national and county governments.

Speaking during a two-day conference for senior Government?officers at Pangoni beach resort on Thursday, Mr Nyachae said civil society and private sector organisations recently called for proper guidelines to avoid abuse of power by the president and governors once elected.

Pressing issues

“It was noted there was an urgent need to have the guidelines in place before the elections to allay fears among citizens there is likelihood the president and governors once elected may disregard the critical values in the Constitution to reward their acquaintances,” Nyachae said.

Also present were Justice and Constitutional Affairs PS Gichira Kibaara, Vision 2030 Director General Mugo Kibati and officers from the Commission on Revenue Allocation, Local Government Ministry, Law Reform Commission and Kenya School of Government among others.

Fourth schedule

Mr Nyachae said there would be reorganisation of the central government in compliance with the functions allocated under the Fourth Schedule of the new Constitution.
Mr Wamwangi said TA was undertaking various activities to set up the county governments. He?said they have identified infrastructure to hold the county governments and will be ready end of February.

He also said TA is establishing a single register for all public assets, for easier monitoring and management. He said, at the moment, there are no proper registers for public assets, adding once auditing of the assets is complete they would declare them public assets.