Governors mark third conference amid unfulfilled resolutions

The stage which will be used during the third annual devolution conference which will be held at Meru National Polytechnic on April 19,2016 to April 22,2016. PHOTO PETER MUTHOMI.

Issues that were to be resolved a year ago like sharing of funds and transfer of functions are still outstanding. This comes as another Devolution conference opens today.

As over 6,000 delegates converge in Meru for the third annual meet, a review of the 31-point resolutions during last year’s conference in Kisumu will highlight assets audit, insecurity, transfer of functions and funds, lack of a comprehensive framework for public participation and limited capacity for legislation at the county assemblies, which are still outstanding.

Council of Governors Media Liaison Chairman Ken Lusaka (Bungoma) admitted that the meeting’s resolutions are yet to be implemented and this will form the basis of discussions.

“We are going to look into why the recommendations were not acted upon. What were the bottle necks and why the implementation did not take place and those who did not act held accountable? We have so many outstanding issues,” said Lusaka, adding: “We also hope that the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee will be properly funded and acts independently in undertaking the residual functions of the defunct Transition Authority.”

But according to Senate Deputy Majority Leader Kipchumba Murkomen (Elgeyo/Marakwet) the ‘big man syndrome’ by governors is hindering the success of Devolution, since, “they are not open to dialogue”.

 Senators’ threat

“Governors are not respecting institutions like Senate. They are pretentious with power and don’t value other institutions to resolve their issues. The Senate is always there to intervene on any matter affecting the counties, yet none is brought to our attention,” Murkomen said.

He added: “Governors believe their problems can only be resolved by the Executive. Until they are short-changed, that’s the time to seek our intervention. If it’s the issue of transfer of functions, they are all devolved by law, nothing prevents them from performing their roles.”

The Senate, Devolution ministry, Interior, Treasury and Council of Governors were assigned tasks as agents of the process and mandated to draw up an action plan, with emphasis on resolutions of all outstanding disputes, but this has been a tall order.

Senators have threatened to give the conference a wide berth, saying nothing new will be discussed. Makueni Senator Mutula Kilonzo Jnr said he preferred to work on the Division of Revenue Bill (2016) than attend the conference, organised by governors and the Executive, excluding the Senate despite being a key stakeholder.