Kidero calls for joint efforts in fight against graft

Nairobi county governor Dr Evans Kidero addresses delegates during the 2nd annual devolution conference at the Tom Mboya Labour college on 21st April, 2015. The meeting discussed conflict resolution mechanisms and alternative ways of building consensus in the devolved system of
governance. [PICTURE: Denish Ochieng/Standard]

Kisumu,Kenya: Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero has said the national and county governments should collaborate in the fight against corruption. Dr Kidero said the war on graft cannot be won by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) alone.

"The counties need to take a lead in tackling corruption alongside the national government. The Council of Governors is ready and has capacity to work with State, EACC and all Kenyans to eradicate this vice," said the governor.

He was addressing the second Devolution Conference in Kisumu.

He said notable progress had been made since the first conference held in Kwale, including enhanced engagements as county governments, which has benefited all through the sharing knowledge and solutions.

Enhanced capacity

He added that there is enhanced capacity among county attorneys after undergoing training in legal drafting alongside capacity building for public accounts committees responsible for overseeing government expenditures to ensure they are effective and honest.

The governor reiterated the need to establish a Loans and Grants Council to manage the ballooning public debt and finalising of the ongoing process of wage determination affecting both the county assemblies and the executive arms.

He added that through the 2015/16 Division of Revenue, the Council lobbied for the inclusion of an allocation of Sh4.5 billion for increasing salaries and allowances for the executive and the legislative arms.

The conference brings together all the 47 counties together with their governors under the theme "Celebrating the Gains of Devolution" and "Appreciating and Strengthening Devolved Governance; Working Together to Realise the Objectives of Devolution.