By RAWLINGS OTIENO
KENYA: A new survey predicts a near even split among voters if a referendum on devolution is called, with a slight majority satisfied the Jubilee government is committed to devolution.
An opinion poll on the implementation of devolution and governance reforms in Kenya conducted by Transparency International showed that 51.8 per cent of the respondents affirmed that the national government was doing enough to support devolution. However, 48.2 per cent disapproved of the national government’s commitment to devolution, with a majority citing the delay in releasing funds meant for the counties.
Another 42.2 per cent supported claims that the national government was interfering with the affairs of the county governments. Those supporting the national government cited that it had goodwill in the implementation of the constitution.
Campaign priorities
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TI Executive Director Samuel Kimeu noted that in instances where there was concurrence between citizens’ needs and government priorities, public participation is enhanced.
“It is a legitimate challenge to the leaders at the national and local levels to align their priorities with the needs and aspirations of the people,” said Kimeu while releasing the report.
He said that the assessment could be an indication for the different levels of government to refocus on the campaign priorities to align them to what the people identify as real and urgent needs through paying fidelity to the participatory planning process enshrined in the law.
