Anxiety as executives are selected

BY EDWIN CHESEREK

Expectations are running high among the residents of various counties in the North Rift ahead of the unveiling of members of county executive ommittees.

There has been intense lobbying over the last few weeks by those who are eyeing the positions though governors had earlier hinted they would not be under any obligations to grant favours to anyone.

Can deliver

Although the governors have the powers to reward cronies at their will, they would be grappling with satisfying the needs and interests of the people by appointing competent individuals who can deliver.

While other counties have rooted for appointment of personnel with proven track records, analysts are skeptical that the high expectations could breed discontent.

“The executive members that would be selected should reflect the best gubernatorial judgment as to the focus of the historic county governments,” said Chepting Kipseret, chairman of the Centre for Human Rights and Governance.

Governors in the 47 counties are expected to unveil a team comprising of 10 executives that would help devolve resources in their respective areas of operation.

 This means there would be a total of 470 executives in the country once they are unveiled.

Mr Kipseret said people are anxiously waiting the naming of the members and to judge whether they have the capacity to steer the manifestos governors marketed  in the run-up to the March 4 General Election.

Expectations

He noted that many governors have come into office with no clear agenda and need to appoint qualified personnel to enhance feasibility of their developments when the people evaluate them at the end of their term.

Of great importance is for the governors to champion strong executive governance to keep the county governments running well and live up to the people’s expectations.

Major concern

Paul Chirchir, a financial consultant, says governors should make informed choices to avoid falling out with the residents and local leaders especially professionals, before getting down to work.

Residents of various counties The County Weekly talked to, say the appointments remain a major concern because rumours are flying that governors could fill the positions with their cronies, contrary to the expectations of the people.

Neutrality

Dr Chirchir says constituency and gender balance should be put into consideration.

“The way governors will go about appointing the executive members will determine their fate in the next election because the interests of the people must over ride that of an individual,” he offers.

However, he is optimistic that the county public service board would offer neutrality in the event that the appointments do not reflect the wishes of the people.

“We know that governors’ interests will come into play in the appointment, we expect them to choose the best persons because the same will have serious ramifications on service delivery in the counties,” he added.

While the appointments cannot be reversed once it has been unveiled, it could trigger a tug-of-war that could retard development besides causing disunity in the counties.

Though the county executive officers have promised to completely change the face of their counties, the composition of the team remains a critical concern that would bring about the much-needed change.

Conflict of interest

Subsequent presidents and parliamentarians have had a fair share of turbulence in implementing what they pledged to the people. But for governors, it would depend on the capacity of the executive members.

Kipkorir Menjo, a director with Kenya farmers Association (KFA) says governors should have a pool of advisors because conflict of interest is a factor that is likely to feature in picking the persons to the county cabinets.

“The governors will not have their way easily because they are directly answerable to the electorate who are also their employers and thus will play the role of the watchdog throughout their term,” he says.

 

Wrong footing

But Masibo Lumala, a political scientist, contends Kenyans should be a worried lot especially the way politicians have been making appointments and even other jobs of lower cadre.

His concern stems from the fact that the Constitution does not expressly say much about the composition of the executive members of the County Assembly, but only give governors mandate to come up with the team.

“The threshold of one third gender must be taken into consideration if the governors want to stick to the Constitution to enable them make informed decisions that will protect their legacies,” Dr Lumala says, adding that it was time governors put aside politics and give their attention to service delivery by unveiling their teams that would reflect diversity of the counties.

 “We cannot afford to start on a wrong footing because our dream of reaping the benefits of devolution will remain a pipedream,” Lumala says.