Celebrating the magic of devolution

The promulgation of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 was a watershed moment for Kenya. After many years of a centralised, authoritarian governance and reward-punishment model of development, Kenyans ushered a new path of equity, inclusion, participation and sustainable development: A constitutionally devolved democratic development state. It is worthwhile to note that bad governance, a weak economy and unequal development are today killing more people than even terrorism.

Deepening democratic local governance is essential to meeting modern-day challenges. It is the basis of building a stronger, prosperous, cohesive, democratic and inclusive country. Thus, good local governance practices; a stronger inclusive economy; using legal means in tackling crime; and a proper functioning democracy are indisputable tools for waging war against youth unemployment, economic exclusion, gender disparities, terrorism, radicalisation and extremism. It is the path to strengthening a sense of belonging and building resilient communities.

Under the motto: Katiba, Ugatuzi; Maisha Mapya Bora, Kenyans collectively realise that building an effective local democracy is an inclusive political process based on dialogue and local ownership. The sustainability of democracy and its institutions is dependent on its ability to change the lives of ordinary people and ensuring the success of quality service delivery. County governance that successfully delivers to people creates hope, guarantees economic freedom and thriving rule of law and local democracy.

Kenyans have tasted devolution. The challenge is to build inspiring county democratic institutions, active citizens, and responsible political governance systems. They have to deepen and sustain county democratic governance practices. International friends and partners of Kenya need to work together with county governments, civil society and local populations to improve public sector management, economic policy-making and political governance. Civil society remains a vital force and partner in creating and shaping local participatory democracy.

County governments on their part need to improve their economic and political governance through better management of resources and creating an enabling environment for sustainable and inclusive local economic development that addresses inequality, gender equality and equity in governance.

There is need to establish a clear understanding of the role and capabilities of county governments, identify strengths and capability gaps, and develop actions to build county governance that is sustainable, efficient, effective and responsive to community needs.

More than any other sector, the county government serves and engages with communities and local businesses every day. It must look into its own resources, structures and performance. It must forge new partnerships to strengthen its competences, processes, institutions and systems. How well county government perform impacts on how well communities and citizens prosper and succeed. Continuous strengthening of county governance institutions, processes and systems is a necessity in order to deliver quality public and social services. County governance leadership needs to be bolder in providing solid policy strategies for greater prosperity and well-being of communities, as well as provision of local services.

For instance, how are county governments changing and funding small-scale farmers to transform their peasantry and strengthen their value chain productivity? How are county governments linking farmers with technical institutes for skills development and improved productivity support mechanisms? Are there any appropriate mechanisms supporting and strengthening the farmers' savings and credit cooperatives? How are the local agricultural-based processing industries and fresh foods/fruits exports being supported and expanded?

Strengthening the local private sector, particularity the small and medium businesses, is a step to local prosperity and creation of quality jobs for young people. County governments play a pivotal regulatory role and in transforming the informal sector (Jua Kali) into modern prospering local economies. Small and medium business should be given good incentives like tax credits to grow and expand.

For stronger local governance and county government performance to be realised, there is need for well-structured interaction with communities and businesses, which leads to a greater understanding of the breadth, value and quality of county government services.

So far, it is clear that county governments need to improve, particularly in three broad areas. First, strengthening performance in governance systems, managing finances, making good spending decisions and delivering value for money; secondly, strengthening local policy and governance systems to achieve strategies for developing greater prosperity and well being of communities; and finally, improving communication and interaction with the public and various sectors for better understanding of what the county government is doing and providing people with the opportunity to have their say.