Attacks on governors driven by malice

The Kenyan Constitution is one of the most progressive constitutions in Africa and the world. When the drafters came up with the two levels of governance, they set out their objects and principles.

Members of Parliament have been making suspect noises about governors’ unwillingness to steer the devolution vehicle.

MPs like Moses Kuria and Johnson Sakaja have engaged in name-calling and mudslinging. They paint a very horrific picture of governors and devolution, even calling for scaling down of counties from 47 to 10.

Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria. Kuria and Johnson Sakaja have engaged in name-calling and mudslinging against the governors and their commitment to devolution. (PHOTO/ COURTESY)

First, these legislators are salivating for gubernatorial seats, making their seats look inferior to the governors’.

As a matter of fact, they are unfit to take the gubernatorial seats. There is no guarantee that they will take care of the interests of mwananchi.

While they paint governors as people who are concerned with personal benefits, we should be worried that they are interested in these very seats, going an extra mile to have the counties reduced so that in case they capture the seats, they shall have more power at their disposal. How hypocritical!

Mr Kuria argues that county governments have become consumption entities. What he should know is that no economy grows without government consumption.

Unlike MPs, governors and county governments do not consume in Nairobi, they consume at their local levels and they grow the economies thereof. It is wise to understand that the private sector cannot grow the economy on its own.

Governors honour the law and summonses. Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, Wajir Governor, Ahmed Abdulahi and Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria are some of the governors who have honoured all summonses either from the courts or EACC.

What does Kuria mean that governors are frustrating the justice delivery system?

MPs should know that babies are only able to steady their steps with the necessary support of parents and exercise; not with them being toppled left, right and centre, every time they try to stand.

The Constitution sets out a very clear relationship between the national government and the county governments, it is based on a mutual spirit of consultation and co-operation, but some of these peole make it look like the national government wants to play a lecturing role, the master of the county governments.

It has become difficult for governors to implement projects without involving the community, and since it is in the Constitution, when such provisions are flouted or done narrowly, the people protest.

This is very healthy; they feel that there is a government near them ready to listen to their grievances and more often than not, solutions are found. Can we say the same for MPs and the CDF kitty? Not really.

Initially, it was meant to develop the constituencies and it did wonders but now the MPs have misused the kitty for personal interests; they use it as bait for votes. County governments, like the national government, follow procurement procedures, not so for MPs.

Truth be told, there is a lease of new life in terms of development, however minimal. A person in far flung Turkana or Mandera knows there is a government nearby.

In the next twenty years, devolution will have revolutionised the landscape of this country, what the previous regimes have not been able to do in fifty years!

Devolution is here to stay, as it is in the Constitution. Kenyans should not allow self-benefitting and derailing initiatives.