Impeachment craze bad for devolution

It might seem that these critical grassroots legislative units are yet to take up the spirit of devolution! Why? In the past few months several county assemblies have been theatres of political sectarianism. Their fervour to impeach could be evidence of a fierce competition for political control and influence. It might seem those in charge of devolution don’t share the same vision as wananchi.

The Kenyan Constitution elaborately presents the grassroots as the pride and joy of governance processes, in which it situates county assemblies as units of participatory democracy.

However, from the unfolding impeachment frenzy, it might appear that Members of the County Assemblies (MCAs) are not ready to consolidate a participatory democracy at the grassroots.

Review law

A democracy is built around the voice of the grassroots in the corridors of power. Maybe the people of Kenya should demand that the County Government Act be amended to require county assemblies call for a referendum on the impeachment of governors.   

Since coming to power, fights have been lodged by different opponents of county governments. Those in charge at the national level have marvelled at the sumptuous display by governors, and at the same time taken issue with their exercise of executive power. Infuriated by these displays, both the Senate and National Assembly have attempted to curtail governors’ privileges through legislation.

Misplaced focus

Already, the National Assembly is considering a raft of laws to reduce the power and influence of governors.

For instance, Parliament have debated whether governors should fly the national flag or not, use the title ‘his excellence’, or have direct diplomatic relations with foreign states.

Some Members of Parliament have even gone ahead to suggest the closing down of Senate and nominated seats, and the reduction of counties to 14 from the current 47.

All these struggles reveal strong centralist penchants. They are, perhaps, an indication of the fast-fading long-held view that development can only be brought to those at the centre of power.

In addition, there is a realisation that henceforth, governors will play a critical role in national politics. This explains why they have faced such fierce attacks.

Several things are obvious on the impeachment front. First, regardless of whether the process is justified – and in a country where those implicated in malpractices never leave office – it has helped transform our political attitudes and behaviours towards those in power.

Second, political leaders might be waging the wrong war. Other than a little fanfare witnessed in some counties, the majority of devolved units are yet to concretely address the acute problems of youth unemployment and lack of entrepreneurial skills among most county residents.

Counties are more concerned with erecting revenue collection booths. These issues call for a re-orientation of county assemblies’ legislative agenda on social issues. They should prioritise policies that promote employment and transfrom the 47 counties into vibrant commercial centres.

As it is, the ongoing impeachment frenzy is threatening to derail devolution.

Public participation

Third, MCAs are supposed to be the lynchpins for social re-orientation of the civic culture of grassroots participation in decision making.

However, the MCAs have not openly worked towards setting up social structures that support and respond to the problems of underdevelopment and effective public participation. Instead, the county assemblies are fast evolving into centres of political intimidation and blackmail.

In some counties, the public is not allowed to be part of the assembly’s deliberations. Reportedly, there is growing intolerance toward those deemed critical of the county leadership.

They have been blacklisted to the extent that they are not allowed near county administration offices. This in effect has rendered county assemblies obscure.

Fourth, the spirit of Kenya’s devolved system of governance is about grassroots participation. But in the ongoing power games between the centralists and devolutionists, the social and political change the Constitution of Kenya 2010 represents appears lost.

Key on the policy agenda of the counties ought to be safeguarding and rebuilding the dignity of communities ignored and marginalised by decades of centralist policies. Instead, MCAs seem trapped in political clientelistic relations with their political masters.

Finally, for county assemblies to establish and entrench civic values for public participation, MCAs should work towards ensuring that county residents share the same vision as the county government.

They should promote the voices of the county residents in decision-making and boost collaboration of divergent political interests instead of mobilising people along ethnic lines.

As currently constituted, county governments have very weak checks and balances. Most assemblies’ political compositions do not provide credible mechanisms for transparency and accountability.