Concepts & Debate

Devolution work in progress with unfulfilled targets

Wednesday Might 18 2022

Council of Governors Vice Chairman Governor James Ongwae talking throughout the seventh Devolution Convention held at Makueni County on Friday, November 26, 2021. PHOTO | DENNIS ONSONGO | NMG

Devolution was in my view probably the most notable change within the 2010 constitutional enhancements and with it got here elevated expectations by Kenyans. After two phrases of practically ten years, there may be debate as as to if county governments have sufficiently delivered on their mandates.

Questions additionally linger as as to if classes realized up to now ten years will make voters wiser in electing the third cycle of county governments.

Nevertheless, what is just not in competition is that devolution motivated and mobilised many Kenyans to maneuver their capital, experience, and even domicile to counties to pursue what they appropriately believed had been unexplored and unexploited alternatives.

Traders noticed county governments as facilities of focus for financial improvement offering techniques to nurture and multiply investor participation. My opinion is that it’s the personal enterprise that has pushed most of no matter main adjustments we see in counties immediately.

And the nationwide authorities has performed its half in delivering crucial infrastructure (roads, electrical energy ) and safety to counties and these have catalysed much more investments in counties whereas reversing migration away from the large cities.

The county governments on their half have continued to supply primary municipal providers, whereas upgrading rural infrastructure.

A significant cross-cutting achievement from devolution has been structured allocations of nationwide revenues and sources , which previous to 2013 had been arbitrary and largely political, with many components of Kenya disregarded of crucial socioeconomic improvement.

That is already pushing beforehand marginalised areas in direction of the nationwide common, as counties prioritize and multiply what they’re endowed with.

Up to now ten years there are a selection of counties which have demonstrated skilled stewardship of county sources by delivering actual adjustments with creation of many new jobs and improved high quality of lives.

Nevertheless, for a variety of different counties it has been ten years of trial and error, with many missed alternatives.

Monetary mismanagement has been the largest disappointment with many counties shedding worth of monies allotted by the exchequer both via wastage, or dishonest diversion of public sources.

The consequence has been recurrent expenditures far exceeding improvement budgets , with minimal worth delivered to the general public. Unsettled invoices are recognized to have been intentionally and irresponsibly handed on by outgoing county officers to incoming county governments.

Nevertheless, there are these counties which might be making notable monetary governance progress, and these stand a powerful probability of attracting improvement partnerships with numerous organisations.

Now we have multilateral and bilateral improvement companions ready to work with credible and progressive county management.

There are additionally PPP funding preparations which will be harnessed by ahead trying counties to fund crucial county tasks. The Laikipia County improvement bonds mannequin is one other inventive and workable supply of improvement funds.

Counties will subsequently must be progressive and prudent in increasing sources of improvement funds.

With insufficient allocations from the exchequer, it’s turning into evident that improvement monies from outdoors Treasury is what’s going to differentiate common performers from tremendous performing counties.

It was anticipated that counties with related financial alternatives would type financial blocks for the aim of making crucial mass to enhance economies of scale. Counties are primarily small financial/political models making it essential to collaborate throughout borders to scale-up improvement tasks for the aim of financial sustainability.

That is extra so with agriculture the place widespread crops lower throughout county borders. Now we have seen half-hearted makes an attempt at organising such blocks, however these haven’t achieved needed momentum nor institutional codecs.

Agriculture is a devolved function which has not been absolutely prioritised by county governments, and this stays a significant disappointment. Incoming county governments might want to assist farmers (and pastoralists) by offering skilled extension providers and efficient advertising and marketing techniques, whereas defending farmers from marauding cartels.

Agriculture is the widespread denominator throughout most counties and can also be the financial lifeline of Kenya. As such, agriculture deserves undivided and shared focus by each nationwide and county governments.

It is very important acknowledge good efficiency by a variety of counties, a proof that the standard of elected county management is a significant variable in figuring out extent and high quality of county improvement.

Additionally it is true that when good governors are given an opportunity for 2 phrases, they’ll obtain sustainable improvement which can’t be the case with one-term governors. On the identical argument, poor county performers ought to be proven the door instantly after their first time period.

Sure, many nice socioeconomic alternatives stay untapped in counties. Because of this we want inventive county management that appropriately balances politics with value-adding improvement.