How governors are killing devolution

Governors from across the nation have camped in Meru to "celebrate devolution” but it is ironical that enemies of devolution are celebrating the same devolution they are supposed to safeguard.

Nearly six years ago, in what is seen as the master key to unlock the solutions for all Kenya's problem, a new promising constitution was promulgated. From the Rocky hills of Malkamari to the plain lands of Wajir, from the cold heavens of Central Kenya to the hot dry lands of North Eastern, from the coastal tour beds to the Greenland of Rift Valley, all Kenyans were filled with hope. We couldn't wait to see devolution take its course.

Unfortunately these dreams were killed by the very people who were trusted to protect and nurture it, governors. Initially, devolution was meant to take resources to the lowest unit of the county, the ward. Through the sub-county and ward administrators, governors were expected to re-devolve devolved money so that those at the grassroots can have access to plenty of clean water, well-built and equipped hospitals among other vital government services.

However, what happened is different. It is not devolution! Resources were taken from the national headquarters and concentrated at the county headquarters. This notwithstanding, Governors turned themselves into 'mini-presidents' and are running the county confers dry. From expensive trips, inflated tenders and ghost projects funded by the county governments to run corruption and nepotism, governors have in one way or another showed that the only things that can successfully be devolved in Kenya are corruption and nepotism.

In the counties of Wajir and Mandera which I am well versed with, services like provision of water and health have either not changed or have changed for the worse. Wajir residents are struggling to get drinking water (clean or dirty).

These have occasioned unending disease outbreaks like the notorious cholera pandemic that has now colonised almost the entire county. This is because the governor is more concerned of his re-election than life touching issues like water.

Devolution that was to be a blessing has now become a curse! In Mandera County, part of the population is considered non-partners and are often kept off the devolution space. In fact the chairman of the council of elders for a certain clan plays the role of  'supreme governor'.

On many occasions it has emerged that CECs and other top government officials sent applications to clan council of elders and not the County Public Service Board or the governors. This has made the county one of the worst beneficiaries of devolution despite the fact that its allocation is huge.

Health sector is on its death bed and not to mention lack of water too. Surely Mandera was hit by devolution as a plague and not as a blessing. The narrative is the same across the nation and for real, except Alfred Mutua of Machakos, the governors have raped the basic motive of devolution.

Talk of Nairobi, Mombasa, Kiambu, Taita Taveta, Kisii, Malindi, Nakuru to mention but a few. Almost all governors failed to meet the public expectation. They have been frustrating devolution and have therefore no right to spend more money 'celebrating it'.