Involve counties when drafting bills, Wako says

By ROSELYNE OBALA and BRYAN TUMWA

The Government has been urged to involve county governments when drafting bills.

County governments took issue with various bills to be tabled in Parliament, which exclude their views.

The Senate Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights Chairman Amos Wako yesterday called for an audit of all bills being prepared to ensure the role of counties is reflected.

COUNTY GOVERNMENTS

“We hope that all the bills that are being drafted will incorporate the counties and where the input of county governments is not recognised, the Senate will ensure that this is rectified,” said Wako.

Wako announced his committee and the Commission for Implementation of the Constitution are working on a bill, which will ensure the anomaly is corrected. He was speaking in Kakamega during the Senator Forum on County governments. The forum brought together county executives from Bungoma, Kakamega, Vihiga and Busia Counties.

Kakamega County Governor Wycliffe Oparanya called for the full implementation of devolution to ensure all the functions assigned to counties are devolved.

Senators Wako, Daisy Kanainza and Godlivier Omondi were informed that agriculture, health, roads, environment and education, are some of functions in contention.