Leaders highlight traps and wins in new governance

The message of tolerance, good governance and accountability dominated speeches at the Devolution Conference in Meru yesterday.

Speakers at the conference, which came at the close of the three-year transition period to devolved governance, stressed the need to join forces to tackle the challenges bedevilling the new system of governance, particularly finances and integrity issues.

Governors also took issue with laws they said attempt to claw back the gains made under the new system and challenged the Senate to play its role of protecting the counties.

Complaints were raised about inadequate funding, especially for health, roads, agriculture and the recently gazetted functions of community libraries, museums and Jubilee's free maternity services.

Further, the county chiefs want funds disbursed to the counties directly, including donor aid, noting that the matters had been outstanding for long.

Council of Governors (CoG) chairman Peter Munya, who hosted over 6,000 delegates at the Meru National Polytechnic to mark the third annual devolution conference, acknowledged the milestones in the three years but also outlined the challenges.

"The continued passing of legislation geared towards clawing back devolution gains, like the Water Bill, is not good for this country. The function of the county governments has been returned entirely to the national government," faulted Munya.

Governors follow proceedings during the third Devolution Conference at the Meru National Polytechnic yesterday. The message of tolerance, good governance and accountability dominated speeches at the Devolution Conference in Meru yesterday. (PHOTO: BONIFACE OKENDO/ STANDARD)

Munya cited inadequate resourcing of counties, as stipulated in Article 203 of the Constitution, even as he faulted the national government's commitment to the devolution agenda.

"We are also faced with very slow disbursement of funds. Some counties are yet to receive the tranches for January to April from the National Treasury. This is a serious impediment and if technology is the problem, the Government should find ways of addressing the same," said Munya.

"The current percentage of revenue sharing is unconstitutional. Counties are not getting enough funds to finance devolved functions. Also, donor funds are still held at the national level instead of being channelled directly to the counties," he said.

While citing the gains made so far, such as in Education, Health and human capacity sectors to improve service delivery in counties, Munya stressed that a lot still needed to be done.

"We have increased the number of nurses in the counties from 9,816 to 15,000 and the recruitment exercise is still on. We now have 3,786 doctors. We are also constructing new health facilitates to cater for patients," disclosed Munya.

He explained the counties were finding it difficult to manage the Sh4.2 billion free maternity, with the Ministry of Health dragging its feet in disbursing the funds.

"We are forced to finance the project with county funds since the money is not released on time. The ministry owes counties Sh7.2 billion in arrears."

He added that "40,000km of roads have been devolved yet no funds have been allocated for the same in the Division of Revenue Bill, 2016. These functions can be executed effectively if allocation to counties is increased to 45 per cent."

President Uhuru Kenyatta, chief guest Namibian Prime Minister Dr Saara Kuugogelwa-Amadhila, Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, Senate Speaker Ekwee Ethuro and governors led the participants in reviewing the three years of devolution.

The Head of State, through Devolution Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri, called for concerted efforts to make the process work.

"Devolution is as a result of the great struggles of our people. However, Kenyans want two things – to make decisions for themselves and unity," said the President.

He implored the county governments to minimise institutional differences, saying they had  slowed down the implementation.

"Leaders should strive to strike a balance in their public discourse. The fights are not only between Parliament and the Executive but between governors and senators or Members of the National Assembly," he said.

He continued: "We have open democracy but we should find a way to resolve differences. This is why I declined to consent to a decision to dissolve Makueni County and instead gave the leaders an opportunity to resolve their differences."

Mutunga noted devolution had brought many changes, including decentralisation of the courts. "We have courts in the counties, which makes it easier for Kenyans to get justice. The Judiciary will always be there to dispense justice," he said.