Governors must get priorities right

Kenyans voted for the new Constitution in 2010. One of the main motivations for this document was devolution. It was used by politicians to make ordinary citizens understand resources will brought closer to the people.

Surprisingly, not much positive change has been realised. The county governments, which were to take resources to people in the grassroots, seem to have changed the theme and are now satisfying their own interests. The governors, who are the core drivers of development in the counties, seem to have lost control and counties remain in abject poverty. We have witnessed, watched and read in the media how some county bosses and members of county assemblies are misusing public funds.

Recently, residents of Bungoma County in western Kenya were up in arms over a set of 10 wheelbarrows.

In Nairobi, the Executive and assembly blew Sh103.3 million on local and foreign trips between July and September. And in my home county of Migori, it topped in travel expenses with Sh369.4 million in the last budget. This state of financial crisis is worrying and Kenyans are left asking the following questions: Shall we benefit from the devolution system of government? Is there anything that can be done to reverse this situation? Governors, take charge.