CIC launches devolution progress report, identifies hitches

Constitutional Implementation Commission Chairman Charles Nyachae

The Constitutional Implementation Commission (CIC) has exuded confidence on the future of devolution and declared it has already taken a "practical route".

Speaking in Kisii during the launch of its annual report and another report on assessment of implementation of the transferred functions to the county governments, CIC Chairman Charles Nyachae, however, noted that said that funds were still a major challenge in the counties.

The county assessment report is titled "Sustaining the Momentum".

The commission says despite a number of challenges, the second assessment shows a remarkable development in some counties in the areas of health, roads and agriculture.

Nyachae said a number of counties have put in place mechanisms and improved performance in their oversight, representation and legislation roles.

"Every institution formed under the Constitution should be given time to perform its role. The Executive and Legislature should be respected to perform their roles under the legal framework," he said.

The assessment shows most counties suffer a shortage of professionals in specialised fields and that there is a huge disparity in salaries and allowances for the various categories of officers in the county.

It further states that projections from revenue collection by counties were based on collections from the previous year.

The report, however, notes that there was disparity between the projected and collected revenues due to loopholes and leakages in the revenue collection systems arising from either lack of automation or corruption.

Lack of clear guidelines, legislation and weak institutional frameworks also hurt revenue collection, adds the report.

It further notes that five counties - Homa Bay, Siaya, Kiambu, and Nyamira - plan to borrow funds in the 2015-16 financial year.

The report was compiled after the commission visited all the 47 counties.

The commission also notes that insecurity led to loss of innocent lives last year, specifically in Mandera, Garissa and Baringo counties.

Kisii Governor James Ongwae said the gains from devolution so far are boundless.

"The picture across the counties is that of hope and greatness. We call upon the national government to always release funds on time to avoid delay in implementation of development projects," said Ongwae.

But as Ongwae lauded the progress so far, Opposition leader Raila Odinga lamented the Constitution has not been implemented as envisaged.

He said the shared goal of a stable, self-reliant and democratic Kenya is still far from being achieved.

CIC commissioners Elizabeth Muli, Peter Wanyande, Kamotho Waiganjo, Catherine Mumma, Florence Omasa and CEO Joseph Kosure attended the launch.

Also present were Nyamira Deputy Governor Amos Nyaribo, his Kisii counterpart Joash Maangi and Uasin Gishu Deputy Governor Daniel Kiprotich.