Guard devolved funds during transition time

One effective way the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission is supposed to combat graft is employing the preventive strategy.

The objective is to promote good governance in public institutions through interventions that pre-empt corruption and uphold integrity and accountability.

The Constituency Development Fund has done well to devolve resources to the grassroots. With the devolved government taking root after next elections, MPs are expected to complete projects for handover to counties.

This year, the allocation to CDF is Sh22.7 billion. Assuming similar funding is extended next year, the total comes to Sh45 billion during the transition phase. Opinion is divided on the fate of CDF drawn from 2.5 per cent of the national revenue and divided among 210 constituencies.

To fund the devolved government the Constitution stipulates a minimum 15 per cent of the national revenue is equitably divided among the 47 counties.

That aside the transition is causing apprehension of looting or even unspent funds due to time barred projects. Some frank MPs have acknowledged such challenges might hinder a smooth transition.

While these are merely fears, they are not entirely unfounded given cases of mismanagement that have dogged CDF.

Besides, experience has shown transitions are sometimes uncertain periods prone to abuse. That should be avoided.

Therefore it’s important that during the transition, corruption loopholes are sealed and controls tightened to curb other inefficiencies that may facilitate plunder of public resources. We had better be safe than sorry.