Opinion: There’s more to learn from the Kakamega devolution jamboree

Kirinyaga Deputy Governor Peter Ndambiri

This was Kakamega’s week. The unfortunate events surrounding Kirinyaga Deputy Governor Peter Ndambiri notwithstanding, the 5th Devolution Conference provided an illuminating insight of how far we have come since devolution became part of our political, financial and administrative lexicon.

Kenya being a country full of naysayers, sceptics and laptop-critics, it is not surprising that there are many who believe the event was a waste. They may have a point in some respects.

But on the whole, this annual event is a critical component of the devolution story. One of its greatest achievements is that it forces the country to focus on this critical aspect of our governance, celebrating devolution milestones and putting into focus challenges that bedevil the journey.

POSITIVE NARRATIVE

One of the tragedies of our country is that we are so overwhelmed by our negatives that we can easily forget the transformation that devolution, albeit slow, has come with.

This annual conference allows us a peep into the positive narrative. Kakamega 2018 was significant in several respects. Of serious note was that unlike previous conferences, all stakeholders in devolution were present.

The Senate, which had boycotted previous conferences, was there in full force, with more than 40 Senators in the house. Cabinet Secretaries and their Principal Secretaries stayed through the conference attending and participating in the plenaries and breakout sessions.

MCAs and their speakers were buoyantly visible, especially when the proposed Ward Development Fund was mentioned. Our developments partners, civil society, and ordinary citizens were in attendance, with the Ministry of Devolution sending 300 youths to the event.

This unity of purpose is critical for devolution and the country in many respects. Most importantly, it allows a dispassionate consideration of the things ailing devolution in an environment not scarred by energy sapping institutional rivalries. It also affirms the reality that devolution is now accepted by all key actors and the focus should only be how to strengthen it.

The other significant aspect was the notable impact of the handshake on Kenya’s body politic. The unabashed camaraderie between previous foes whether it be Joho-Marwa or Raila-Waiguru was heartening. This unity, however, shallow the sand it is built on is, allows us to objectively consider the challenges that bedevil our great nation and look for solutions jointly. Of course the greatest beneficiaries of the Kakamega jamboree were business people in Kisumu, Vihiga, Kakamega and neighbouring counties.

In Kakamega and Vihiga, hotel rooms that normally charge Sh2,000 were going for a whooping Sh5,000, if you could get one! Some hotel owners were auctioning rooms to the highest bidder so that pre-booking meant nothing, your deposit would be readily refunded in favour of a higher offer.

The lakeside town of Kisumu, by far my favourite city, almost ran out of Tilapia and in most establishments you could sense the workers were totally fatigued after long evenings entertaining up country biggies.

 It would be interesting to know how much revenue was left by the 6,000 or so delegates in this beautiful part of Kenya.

Programme wise, Kakamega 2018 was different in that had very substantive discussions on the conference theme of actualising the Big 4.

The breakout sessions were well attended and most session panelist were familiar with their topics leading to vibrant and fruitful interactions. The exhibition stands were illuminating as counties showcased their innovations including Meru’s miraa wine!

The key note speakers each brought homour and substance to their presentations with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga making the most radical proposals for re-structuring devolution.

Unfortunately, his third-tier proposal runs afoul of the spirit of reducing government and will be dead in the water. All in all it was great to imbibe Western Kenya hospitality; my only misgiving being that I couldn’t find time to go partake Mama Sarah’s chicken at Kaburenge. There is always next time.