Too much politics killing devolution

CIC chairman Charles Nyachae (right), Council of Governors Chairman Isaac Ruto (second left) during the launch of a devolution assessment report at Nyayo gardens in Nakuru, Friday. [PHOTO: KIPSANG JOSEPH/STANDARD]

A new report blames politics for delayed implementation of devolution. While the assessment of county governments by the Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution (CIC) notes that counties have successfully put in place legislations and systems to ensure smooth transition, it faults them for poor planning, budgeting and allocation of resources.

While launching the report in Nakuru yesterday, CIC chairman Charles Nyachae regretted the journey to successful implementation of devolution has been characterised by politics that has frustrated the process of institutional reforms coupled with less focus on institution building.

 "Delay in undertaking a number of critical transitional activities, delay by the National Government to release finances for devolved functions, lack of policy, legislative and institutional framework cognizant of devolution and low level of capacity and skill in counties are other challenges realised in the past one year," said Nyachae.

Good foundation

The report titled 'Assessment of the Implementation of the System of Devolved Government from Steps to Strides', shows the progress made has set a good foundation for realisation of the objectives and principles of devolution.
However, Mr Nyachae called for a review of existing policies, legislation and some institutions to ensure they facilitate improved governance and services. The report, compiled after a 12-month assessment of the 47 county governments, observes that all counties had successfully established their county assemblies and executive structures..

"Counties have so far succeeded in terms of establishing devolution and I recommend Kenyans to read the report on the progress the regional governments have made so far," said Nyachae.

 On state of County Assemblies, the report found all had adhered to the constitutional threshold regarding affirmative action, but regretted that details of their composition had raised some sticky issues.

 The report proposes the law be amended to ensure the diversity requirement is met through election rather than direct nomination. On transfer of functions from the national government to counties, the report showed that there was lack of comprehensive analysis and costing of the roles to be devolved.

 "This posed challenges to the counties in terms of planning, budgeting and resource allocation," read the report. Counties have failed to take control of functions like; air and noise pollution, and other public nuisance.

Capacity building

The report indicated that implementation of specific national government policies on natural resources and environmental conservation had also not taken place. It recommends that counties carry out a comprehensive capacity building.

The report further noted counties had failed to effectively involve the public in formulation laws on county planning and financial management systems.

"The engagement of citizens in development of relevant plans was found unstructured. A number of counties had not put in place key mechanisms including civic education, public participation and citizens' service centres to facilitate public participation," the report stated.

The commission challenged the county governments to prioritise institutional reforms and called for urgent need to coordinate capacity building programmes.