President’s speech yet to go digital months later

By CYRUS OMBATI

KENYA: Despite the fact the Jubilee Government calls itself digital, presidential speeches to be read today at all county headquarters were delivered physically.

The speeches were delivered by road and air to their destinations, depending on closeness from Nairobi.

This has been the tradition from the past, whereby the speeches were either flown or delivered by road to Provincial Commissioners, District Commissioners and Divisional Officers.

The Government uses parastatal and police choppers to deliver the speeches. This is contrary to expectations they would be relayed through emails and other faster and more efficient means.

Secretary to the Cabinet Francis Kimemia refused to comment on the matter yesterday when reached.

Today will mark the second public holiday graced by President Uhuru Kenyatta since he took over office in April this year.

Already, there are differences on whom between the Governors and County Commissioners should speak last.

Pundits argue the Governors should speak last, with a speech targeting their regions, and Commissioners first with the President’s word. 

Mr Kimemia told Parliament during his vetting that the commissioners would read President Kenyatta’s speech and Governors would talk last.

Benefit Kenyans

Governors had rejected the retention of County Commissioners, citing frustrations of the County Government by the Central Government.

The Governors claimed that their roles conflicted with those of commissioners and disconnect would affect the counties.

The people of the county, Kimemia said, have popularly appointed the Governor, while the County Commissioner represents the national Government and carries out national functions.

Kimemia further noted there are many policy documents that have been forwarded yet to be implemented.

He called for the implementation of the service charter, which he said would greatly benefit Kenyans in all regions.

The service charter, he said, would assist a Governor to know key areas in their counties that need to be worked on with priority to the most needed services.

“The service charter will help Governors and County Commissioners identify which services have not been rendered and which ones should be implemented first,” he stated.