Pastoralists in the arid and semi-arid part of Kenya live in a hardship environment where survival for the fittest defines a fierce competition for scarce resources. In the past, they practiced nomadic pastoralism, but with climate change and modernism, nomadism mutated to sedentary pastoralism.
This consolidated conflicts arising from pasture, water and competition for commercial interests. Therefore, fair distribution of resources to wards, award of tenders and other opportunities will determine the stability of pastoral county governments.
Devolution could be the best system of governance to boost development and prosperity. But clan rivalry, corruption and weak institutions could jeopardise this. Just like the fragility of their environment and the erratic rains, county governance in Asal regions has been characterised by unfair distribution of resources.
For instance, in Wajir County, devolution benefits last year, were not shared fairly. Wajir North constituency has the highest population, poverty level and most number of wards in the county. But not enough personnel and funds were directed to this constituency.
A Somali tale says you should not let three things not befall your family. These are sadism, greed, and ugliness not to inflict the family elder, the mother and daughters. Reason being the elder makes decisions, the mother feeds the children and the girls must be beautiful to attract marriage suitors to extend family lineage and pride. Sadly, it seems sadism and greed have affected some county leaders. Some county institutions have become ugly to attract any kind of legal or profitable business. County governments should not compare or mimic the defunct county councils legendary for ghost workers, corruption, and zero service delivery.
READ MORE
Firat calls for solutions after Harambee Stars' AFCON qualification failure
To destroy a society, just kill trust in its education potential
Let's all play our part in enabling those with disabilities live better
Devolution is pegged on capacity and efficiency as indicated in 176 (2) of the Constitution, but a sensible governor can sufficiently be guided by the Bill of Rights and the National Values to be fair, cascade resources to wards even in the absence of rules or any lacuna in law. The move to strengthen the National Government at the counties, therefore, comes in handy to monitor, report on progress and cushion the public against the excesses of the county governments.
