North Rift in row over control of authorities

By Edwin Cheserek and Luke Anami

Uasin Gishu, Kenya: A row is brewing between counties in the North Rift over control of resources that were initially under the central Government.

The coming into effect of county governments has ushered in competition for resources. Ministries of Regional Development and Energy particularly control resources that have attracted controversy.

At the centre of the tussle is the control of assets and resources under Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA).

The conflict has been made worse by two Government officials, each issuing separate statements over who between national and county governments would run regional authorities which include Tana and Athi Rivers Development Authority, Lake Basin Development Authority, Ewaso-Nyiro North Development Authority, Ewaso-Nyiro South Development Authority, and Coast Development Authority.

Local Government Permanent Secretary Prof Karega Mutahi and his Regional Authority counterpart Eng Carey Orege have each in the past issued different statements.

“On the issue of regional authorities, remember that functions have been devolved. But devolving and taking over functions will be dependent on the capacity of county governments,” Prof Mutahi said during a civic education exercise held in Eldoret just before the March 2013, General Election.

Joint Committees

He further said: “Some regional authorities cover more than one county. An example is Tarda who’s River Tana covers more than five counties from Nyeri, Mwea, and Tana River up to the Indian Ocean. Counties would therefore form joint function committees of Governors from the respective counties to determine how to share resources.”

Mutahi said the issues would be determined within the first three years of county government’s existence. However, on his part, Eng Orege insists regional authorities including KVDA will remain under the national Government. “Regional authorities will remain under the national Government,” Orege said when he reacted to an earlier story over the same. But that has not stopped counties from raising the issues of ownership of regional authorities under their watch.

The perennial conflict over the control of the multi-million Turkwel power plant in West Pokot County has kicked off in earnest. Area leaders claim it has a stake in the project and now want the Kenya Generating Electricity Company to stop remitting money to KVDA. The lead agency has been receiving Sh45 million annually which has put it  at loggerheads with the defunct county council of Pokot.KVDA is the State lead agency that has been initiating development projects in Elgeyo/Marakwet, West Pokot, Baringo, Turkana and Samburu.