Kenya's performance impressive, experts say

The African Overseas team has praised the country’s stability and economic prosperity despite the terror threat posed by various insurgents.

The team noted that Kenya had made strides in democracy and identified devolution as an area it was impressed with.

The team, composed of experts from Europe, US, the Far East, Asia and Africa, is in the country studying the future of stability on the African continent.

Team leader Jeremy Jarvis said the African continent had made impressive progress since the 1990s.

Mr Jarvis said although there were some pockets of insecurity in the region and mainly around Somalia, there was economic and social stability.

“Insecurity is still a challenge for many countries but as a team we are impressed by the strides made in Kenya in terms of security, devolution and development,” he said.

Global challenge

Jarvis, who is also a senior directing staff at the Royal College of Defense studies, said the team would also visit Uganda as part of its studies.

“We are impressed by Kenya’s performance in various fields. Insecurity is a global challenge and the community needs to chip in to address this vice,” he said.

The team was addressing the Press after a breakfast meeting hosted by Nakuru Governor Kinuthia Mbugua at Sopa Lodge in Naivasha.

Mr Mbugua praised the delegation for visiting, saying this was a demonstration of confidence in the county and the country at large.

Mbugua told the delegation that devolution had transformed the country, with residents getting better and quicker services.

“We have made huge strides under devolution and our visitors are impressed by the devolved system of government; this visit is very significant,” he said.

The governor noted that devolution was the cure for conflict in the country as communities shared resources equally and equitably.

He said land and community conflicts in Nakuru County had reduced drastically since the new mode of governance came into place.

“Before, the country was polarised along tribal and religious lines but devolution has addressed this,” he said.