Conference ends on promising note with 31 resolutions to advance devolution

Kisumu, Kenya: Devolution stakeholders concluded their three-day conference in Kisumu with a promise to Kenyans that they will jointly fight teething challenges that have hindered smooth rolling out of the new system of governance.

The stakeholders moved to allay fears that the concept will be strangled, maintaining they will work towards ensuring Kenyans reap the benefits of the system they entrenched in the 2010 Constitution.

 They drew the 31-point recommendations that are meant to ensure smooth rolling-out of devolution and arresting the teething challenges that have hampered the concept in its two years of existence.

The players assigned different tasks to key institutions and agents for implementation and drawing of an action plan even as they vowed to ensure devolution works.

 At the close of the conference that was being held at the Tom Mboya Labour College, the agents agreed on developing synergies that would improve implementation of the new system of governance.

 “In spite of the challenges we have faced in the past two years, the conference concluded that, overall, Kenya’s devolution  process in on course,” stated the resolution of the stakeholders read by the co-chairman of the conference, Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya.

Among the undertakings made was to ensure resolutiopn of all disputes that may arise during the rolling out of devolution, ensuring the concept works must be undertaken.

Asset audit

“The national and the county governments remain committed to deliver the devolution promise to the people of Kenya; and that when faced with challenges along the way, concerted efforts by both levels of government must be aimed at ensuring that devolution works,” stated the resolution, also signed by Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru, who was the conference’s co-chair.

The players cited key challenges, among them insecurity, transfer of funds, lack of comprehensive framework for public participation and limited capacity for legislation at county levels which need to be addressed immediately.

The Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government, Senate, Ministry of Devolution, Council of Governors and the national treasurywere listed as the action champions to ensure expedited address of these challenges.

A resolution on ensuring all devolved functions are transferred and money factored for such functions, which was among those that were listed in the first conference in Kwale last year, also found its way in the just-concluded conference. They challenged the Transition Authority to ensure the functions are transferred as stipulated in the Constitution.

 

Meanwhile Deputy President William Ruto has lauded devolution as the vehicle that delivers people’s aspirations and must be protected at all costs.

In a speech read on his behalf by Devolution Permanent Secretary (PS) Mwanamaka Mabrouki during the closing ceremony of the second annual devolution conference in Kisumu, Ruto noted that through devolution, Kenya is able to spread opportunities and development to every citizen.

“In devolution, people find dignity, equality, equity, self-determination and a share of the resources and power they need to attain their aspirations,” the DP said.

He called on Kenyans not to forget the thinking that informed the unanimous resolve to entrench devolution in the Constitution.