Security tightened as Meru hosts Devolution conference

Security has been beefed up in Meru County ahead of the devolution conference.

Meru County Commissioner Wilfred Nyagwanga yesterday confirmed that there were adequate security measures in place at the conference venue and hotels in the county.

President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to officially open the conference that will also be attended by Namibia’s Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa as the chief guest.

“We welcome the President to come and address the people as we celebrate devolution, a concept that has brought development to the grassroots,” said Mr Nyagwanga.

Technicians rig cables in preparation for the third annual devolution conference that starts today in Meru County. The conference will be held at the Meru National Polytechnic. (PHOTO: PETER MUTHOMI/ STANDARD)

Council of Governors Chairman Peter Munya said the county was ready for all governors, senators, MPs, speakers, MCAs, and guests from foreign countries. However, senators have threatened to keep off the conference accusing the governors of sidelining other devolution stakeholders. They also accused the governors of turning the annual event into a self-glorification event.

Security has been beefed up in Meru County as thousands of delegates converge for the third annual devolution conference.

The conference, which coincides with the lapse of the three-year transition period to devolved governance, opens today at the Meru National Polytechnic with about 6,000 registered delegates.

Plenary discussions for the conference themed 'The Promise of Devolution: Consolidating the gains after transition and looking into the future' start tomorrow.

President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to officially open the conference that ends on Saturday. The event will take stock of the gains and challenges of devolution.

Namibia’s Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa will be the event’s chief guest. Participants have been drawn from all the counties, the national government, civil society, academia and some foreign countries.

Meru County Commissioner Wilfred Nyagwanga yesterday said adequate security measures had been put in place to ensure the conference venue, hotels and other areas are safe.

“We have deployed enough security personnel to cover the event. We have both uniformed and plainclothes officers in all parts of Meru, covering the roads, hotels and other facilities,” said Mr Nyagwanga.

 He added: “We expect guests to be spread over a large area, including Maua and Nkubu. We have deployed people all over.” Some roads might be closed.

“Our traffic officers will be in charge along the roads to direct traffic. We have also opened some bypasses to ensure the main Meru-Nanyuki highway is free of traffic,” said the county commissioner and asked motorists to co-operate with officers.

Council of Governors Chairman Peter Munya said all governors, senators, MPs, speakers, MCAs, and guests from foreign countries will have a fruitful and enjoyable time in the county.

“The Meru people are welcoming and love guests, so we have the pleasure of having the visitors in our green, united and prosperous county,” said the Meru governor.

“We welcome the President to come and address the people as we celebrate devolution, a concept that has brought development to the grassroots,” he said.

But preparations for the meeting have been marred by threats from senators who may snub the event.

Unsettled senators

They accused governors of side-lining other devolution stakeholders and turning the annual forum into a platform for self-glorification.

By yesterday, the senators were yet to decide on whether or not to honour the invitation to attend the conference.

The House Rules and Business Committee is expected to meet this morning to take a position on whether senators will be heading to Meru.

A meeting held yesterday by a select committee tasked to reach out to the organisers of the conference to address their issues failed to reach an agreement.

Instead, the team left the matter to be handled this morning by the Rules and Business Committee, the Senate team that drives the House agenda.

“We met but the deliberations will continue tomorrow (today) morning before the Rules and Business Committee, who will make the final decision on whether we will be attending the conference or not,” said Kisumu Senator Anyang’ Nyong’o.

But last evening, Speaker Ekwee Ethuro said Devolution Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri had assured the senators that their grievances would be addressed.

Senators have protested the manner the governors have been organising the annual event, arguing that the county bosses had ignoring other devolution stakeholders, and made it their forum.

Mombasa Senator Hassan Omar said many of them saw no value in attending a forum where serious issues affecting devolution were swept under the carpet.