By STEVE MKAWALE and ATHMAN AMRAN
National Assembly Speaker Kenneth Marende has challenged the Executive to create a more enabling environment for reforms and support devolution.
Marende appealed to President Kibaki and Prime Minister Raila Odinga to adhere to the letter and spirit of the Constitution, which dictates public participation as the country, goes through transition.
He said leaders must put the interest of the country before their own during this critical period.
“I call for patience and further appeal to the Executive to adhere to the substance of our Constitution which dictates public participation and consultation in accordance with the National Accord and Reconciliation Act,” Marende said.
He was speaking at Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi where he opened a two-day workshop dubbed “Towards Effective Devolved Government in Kenya: Reflecting On and Planning for County Assemblies.”
The Speaker stressed the importance of speeding up the process of devolution, saying a devolved system of government would fast track development.
“That it is the best available way to ensure equitable distribution of wealth and closing in on the social economic disparities through proper fiscal measures, and of triggering positive competition that will enhance transparency and accountability,” said Marende.
Better cohesion
He observed that if properly implemented, devolution would encourage interdependence between regions thus greater appreciation of each other and better cohesion among the people of Kenya.
The workshop is organised by the National Assembly in conjunction with donor agencies and is expected to lay modalities for ensuring County Assemblies work.
Marende allayed fears that county governments would weaken the central government, saying the two governments, though distinct, are supposed to be consultative but independent in discharge of their mandate.
Speaking during the same forum, Deputy Speaker Farah Maalim said the country has to lay the ground for County Assemblies or risk having County Governments similar to the current county councils.
He said there has to be massive recruitment of staff to the units, saying the National Assembly, which has a responsibility to midwife them, is already grappling with understaffing.
“National Assembly is itself understaffed yet it has to prepare the ground for the Senate, which will diffuse down to the counties,” said Maalim.
Mandera Central MP Abdikadir Mohamed regretted that at the moment everybody appears keen on wanting to interpret the Constitution to suit them, saying the important task should be left to courts.
Chairman of the Parliamentary Departmental Committee on Local Authorities David Ngugi said three Bills on devolution that were passed by Parliament and assented to by the President were key in devolution.
He said the Intergovernmental Relations Bill, the Transition to Devolved Government Bill, which is now an Act and the County Government Bill, which was recently returned to Parliament after the President rejected it, would be instrumental in the realisation of the devolved system of government.
