Don’t trivialise governors’ role in devolution

By KENNETH LUSAKA

Devolution is not a mere angular or linear transfer of power and purpose from the national government to the county governments as touted by many.

It is a multi-dimensional approach that defines governance along political and corporate lines: Political goodwill is necessary to give confidence to the elected leaders that indeed they have the mandate of the people to be in office; corporate governance ensures that the counties are managed with integrity, fairness, and transparency.

Yet, the very people at the centre of devolution have been criticised, albeit undeservedly. First were the scathing attacks on The Governors’ request to fly the National Flag along with the County flag.

When the Governors further demanded better pay for the County Assembly, it was further misconstrued that the County CEOs were seeking higher pay for themselves. Then there is the issue of buying cars — or limousines as some quarters are wont to refer to them.

In Bungoma County, out of a possible road network of 800 km, only 132 kilometres is under tarmac. We must equip the Executive with appropriate means of travel and not consider four-wheel drives a luxury.

We want them to serve their counties with dignity and not be so pedestrian in the name of servant leadership.

Let us be realistic and remain alive to the challenges that beguile devolution in Kenya: In other countries that practice devolution, administrative units were put in place before the political units were created. In Kenya, the new political and administrative units are being created at once. The 47 Governors are Kenyans first and Governors second; if devolution were to fail, they would be the losers as the rest of the populace.

To suggest, nay, even hint that they are whining more than working is grossly unfair.

Governors live with the electorate and serve them on a daily basis.

Unwarranted criticism

I, for instance, certainly  know the challenges facing the people of Bungoma from Lufwindiri to Chepkitale as Governor Cyprian Awiti understands Homa Bay County from Sindo to Othoro and Governor Obado knows Migori from Othoch Rakuom to Rongo. I have no day or night; at 5 o’clock, I simply relocate my office to the Webuye Pan Paper Guesthouse where I currently reside.

The major criticism is on budget allocation. Yet, the Treasury ensures autonomy of two levels of government in public finance management and has established a mirror image of the national fiscal structure at county level to enhance transparency in Public Finance Management; the PFM Bill 2012 includes adequate accountability mechanisms through strict disclosure and public participation requirements and Legislative oversight to counter possible misuse of funds.

Counties are governed under the National Audit, National Procurement Regulations and National Government Financial Reporting Systems. What should be of concern is the capacity of the County officers to judiciously execute the budget process.

These budgets were drawn with the greatest of challenges; inherent was the lack of technical capacity among the finance staff; the public participation forums turned into meetings where people poured vitriol and gave unwarranted criticisms scoffing at what they felt was wrong rather than seizing opportunities to make positive contribution to desired expenditure.

But the forums closed without their views being incorporated, and once the horses bolted from the stables, the buck passing began.

Again, what we are presenting now are budget estimates and may not necessarily be the actual figures spent. We are working hard to cut our cloth according to the size of cloth handed to us from the Treasury; it would help to get support rather than unwarranted and bias criticism from all quarters. If we are to be judged in the court of public opinion, let the “mwanainchi” be the judge and jury; not elitist attention seekers who double as “seers” and who see visions that remain just that, visions.

Essentially, devolution means that at the local level the people are allowed a certain flexibility to prioritise their needs and are able to make decisions that are unique to themselves and their County.

Derivation principle

It is premature to compare Counties in terms of who is working and who is not. The priorities of the Counties differ from Nairobi, to Machakos and Turkana.

True devolution must stem from strong structures and institutions, which will form the basis of both success and continuity.

It is not a one off but a process and that is why there is a “Transition” period in place.

As the first elected governors, we cannot support a wavy process that will end up serving only to exacerbate economic problems if looked at from the derivation principle.

We must create structures that will stand the test of time.

We must remain committed to service delivery, not populism.

The writer is the Governor of Bungoma County and Secretary to the National Governors Council.