How ward leaders can unlock our potential, grow economy

Nakuru County Assembly during the voting of Speaker on September 21, 2022. [Kipsang Joseph, Standard]

There are 1,450 administrative wards and Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) are their elected political leaders. Previously, the elected ward leaders were referred to as councillors.

Politicians often used the councillor seat as a stepping stone into the Member of Parliament (MPs) seat. Among prominent politicians who started off as councillors are Ferdinard Waititu, who commenced his political journey in 2002 as a councillor of Njiru Ward.

He later served as Embakasi Member of Parliament before being elected as Kiambu's second governor. Simba Arati, the current Governor of Kisii also started off as a nominated councillor for Nairobi City Council in 2007.

Now, I suggest that we radically change our perception of this seemingly lowly MCA position. It is not just a stepping stone into higher office. Our elected MCAs have huge potential of becoming the most consequential political leaders in the country.

I have previously written in this column why they are like Ward Presidents and today, I will focus on how they can deliver transformative leadership.

Between 2013 and 2017, I was honoured to be one of the lead organisers of County Investment Forums in several counties. Through these forums, we were unwrapped the immense investment potential in counties like Nandi, Kisii and Baringo. We realised that Kisii County had the potential of following in the wine-producing footsteps of French regions like Bordeaux and Champagne.

Similarly, we explained how Baringo County's potential of becoming a world-class honey producer was unlimited. Unfortunately, such investment forums either died altogether or were expanded into regional forums.

In this new electoral cycle, we need to refocus investment opportunities to our wards. Indeed, wards must become like companies that should return value to their shareholders.

Here are three reasons why this approach may change the country in a powerful and lasting manner.

Firstly, we must unlock the human resources that are locked within ward demographics. For instance, Upper Savannah Ward in Embakasi East Constituency has a population of nearly 40,000 people. This constitutes nearly half of all the people in Seychelles! As such, this population must be regarded as a powerful human resource.

However, it is incumbent on them to contribute significantly in ward affairs. The most direct way for them to do so is through public participation that ensures efficient, accountable utilisation of ward funds. But more than this, they should also contribute their skills to transform their wards.

While at it there is need to ascertain the depth of skills possessed by constituents in any given ward. That will enable a systematic utilisation of relevant skills towards ward development.

To illustrate, it could be, that some constituents of Kasighau ward in Taita Taveta County have ecotourism skills that can help the ward earn enough revenue. The same applies to every ward in Kenya.

Secondly, wards will be transformed through sustainable utilisation of their natural resources. Every ward is endowed with natural resources that can greatly enhance sustainable development and job creation.

A vast ward like Mutha in Kitui County is home to South Kitui National Reserve. With intentional investment, this natural resource can boost ecotourism in the area, and in the process create thousands of sustainable livelihoods.

Thirdly, financial resources must flow into wards through ward-specific investments. Just like we experienced county investment conferences, time is ripe for targeted Ward Investment Fora. Through such conferences, wards will take a private approach to public sector development. This will compel MCAs to act increasingly like visionary CEOs and less like short-sighted politicians.

I nudge President William Ruto to deploy the power at his disposal in emboldening our MCAs. After all it is the MCAs who determine resource allocations for the counties currently at Sh370 billion. Think green, act green!