Is Devolution Working in Kenya?
It has been reported that counties absorbed more than 60% of development budget in the last financial year, while central government managed less than 50%. Counties have only been here for under 3 years and central government for 50 years. Perhaps, devolution is the only good thing that has ever happened in Kenya's political history. May be Kenyans should resolve to unreservedly support any effort to improve and enhance service delivery at the county level, by the time devolution will be 50, like Kenya is, may be Kenya will be different. I recently, heard Bishop Korir of the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret say that, at last, there is government presence in certain parts of the Rift valley, places which have never known government for 50 years. We may need to think about that.
The case of Failure in Makueni County
Whereas other counties have recorded impressive progress, the
situation in Makueni county has been rather different. The county has
experienced its share of unprecedented troubles since its formation nearly
three years ago. But of concern is the measures that have been taken to address
the issues in Makueni, especially the ones by the national government led by
President Kenyatta. For instance, recently the President formed a task
force led by Mr. Mohammed Nyaoga to invetigate the isses in Makueni and report
to the President with recommendations on how to address those issues. Indeed,
the Commission went on to carry out its duties and within accepted time issued
its report. Interestingly President Kenyatta shelved the Nyaoga report and told
the people of Makueni and the nation at large that there are other available
mechanisms that need to be exploited.
Well I have been wondering why the Nyaoga task force was
formed by President Uhuru Kenyatta only to release recommendations which the
same appointing authority in the name of the President vetoed. President
Kenyatta shamelessly told the country that we do not have to implement the
Nyaoga recommendations since there were in place many conflict resolution
mechanisms to address the issues in Makueni. Now that was interesting but not
shocking in this part of the world, it seems.
I do not Understand
But hey, I do not seem to understand something here. Why was
the president forming a committee only to dismiss its recommendations and argue
that there are other mechanisms which need to be exploited? Why didn't we
activate such mechanisms and exhaust them before thinking of a special
committee? Just who advices government and why did such a person decide to
mislead government, and the president in particular? And why does our president
allow himself to mislead on popular knowledge? OK, it simply means I seem to
have more and more questions; I therefore do not quite understand. I might not
be alone anyway.
Misuse of Public Resources
It is simply, a reckless misuse of public funds which the
same government doesn't want to pay for necessary services like teaching. It is
another clear demonstration that, the Nairobi administration led by Uhuru
Kenyatta is totally and completely not in touch with the reality. Before we
start using the hearts, we may need to declare our government incompetent. May
be that is too harsh. So I do not know how better to rate a government that
takes wrong measures, and one that makes wrong decisions, not ones, not twice
but rather quite annoyingly frequently.
Is Devolution Working in Kenya?
Reviewed by Ibrahim Magara
on
December 22, 2015
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