Raila wants counties to handle education up to secondary level

ODM leader Raila Odinga at the Funeral of Preskila Oreny Koyo. [Photo, Standard] ODM leader Raila Odinga is rooting for complete autonomy of county governments and transfer of all schools to the counties. He has given various proposals which, if implemented, will enable county governments be independent from control by the State. Raila also argues that the national government must stop micromanaging county governments. His proposals include devolving entire basic education to county governments. Raila, who was the chief guest of the second day of the Devolution Conference at Homa Bay High School, said primary and secondary school education should be devolved too. Currently, only early childhood development education is devolved to county governments. "Time has come for all functions which should be performed by counties, to be devolved. In this regard, we want education to county governments up to the secondary school level," he said. The ODM leader argued that devolving the entire basic education will enhance efficiency in management of the education sector. He said it does not make sense for the Education Cabinet Secretary, who sits in Nairobi to control education in all schools across the 47 counties. "It is a sign of inefficiency for the education cabinet secretary who sits in Nairobi to supervise education activities in our counties. Through the spirit of devolution enshrined in our constitution, such a role should be performed by a governor of each county," he said. He reignited debate for disbanding the NG-CDF, currently under the patronage of MPs, saying the funds should be given to county governments to augment provision of services. "We don't expect MPs to continue distributing bursaries. That money should be transferred to county governments for governors to use it in supporting education of children from ECDE to secondary schools," Raila added. To enhance the autonomy, Raila wants the Kenya Rural Roads Author (KeRRA) and the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURRA) disbanded and devolved to counties. He argued that the national government was impeding roads construction by holding KeRRA and KURRA functions. Raila said the situation had denied governors opportunity to construct roads which they should be doing. "It does not make sense that the governor of Kisumu is able to spot bad roads but he cannot construct them because the roads are classified under KeRRA and KURRA. Those authorities should be disbanded and the funds devolved to counties," he said. He termed devolution a process which must undergo periodic review to suit interest of the people. He argued that the county integrated development plans and annual development plans should be formulated in line with the needs of the people. Council of Governors' Chairman, Ahmed Abdullahi, urged legislators to make a law allowing governors who served two terms to get a pension. He said it appears to be discrimination against governors for failure to get pension. "MPs had made legislation allowing those who served for two terms and above to earn pension. Only governors do not have pension. We are appealing that governors who serve two terms be given pension," Abdullahi said. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi urged governors to ensure prudent utilisation of public funds. "The resources allocated should be commensurate to the services provided," Mudavadi said. Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga hailed devolution saying it has led to development in remote regions. "For instance, there are many residents of Homa Bay whose lives have been changed by devolution. Let us support devolution to enhance prosperity," Wanga said. [Additional reporting by Harold Odhiambo]

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