Devolution here to stay, but keep graft at bay

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I am happy to join you today in the great city of Kisumu during this very important event to celebrate devolution in our country. Devolution lies at the heart of national transformation. Devolution is the single greatest economic and sociopolitical innovation of our constitution.

It is the core around which every component of our dispensation’s paradigm shift is arranged. Devolution is at the heart of our national rebirth and because of its significance, my Government is totally committed to its success.

Devolution ranks at the very top of my government’s priority list. That is why this Conference is important. I am keen to actively participate personally in every initiative that moves the Devolution agenda forward.

As a nation, we have tasted the fruits of Devolution. We have seen its promise. Although we are in the early years of entrenching the system, we are all aware of its prospects.

Kenyans therefore look forward to national and county leadership working harder to mature this promise.

Expectations are high, and rightly so. There is no turning back. We are gathered here on the understanding that at both levels of government, we are in this together. We therefore need to form a consensus on how best each of us can do our part to make devolution a resounding success.

We must never lose sight of three principal goals of devolution: First, Devolution is meant to strengthen our sovereignty by giving people greater access to their sovereign power. This is aimed at expanding the scope of our self-determination in the character and direction of our development.

Second, Devolution is aimed at strengthening national unity by building stronger sub-national units that underscore our diversity. In other words, the new approach to unshakeable national unity is through recognition that our diversity is legitimate and holds the potential for even stronger unity and cohesion.

Third, Devolution is aimed at greater, more equitable and efficient sharing of national resources. The County Integrated Development Plans are an excellent starting point to make this noble goal a reality.

By setting as a minimum allocation of 30 per cent of county budgets towards development programmes, we have laid ground for devolution to realise visible impact in our communities.

My Government has undertaken a great deal of initiatives to implement its mandate as regards Devolution.

It has also provided the support and facilitation necessary for a quick and smooth transition, besides the creation of capacity within devolved units to successfully take off.

Over the past two years, my government has accelerated the expansion of resource allocation to county governments. In 2013/2014, when my government assumed office, 32 per cent of national revenue was allocated to county governments. In 2014/2015, we allocated 43 per cent. This will cause profound economic transformation of our rural areas.

At the moment, my Government is implementing the National Capacity Building Framework and a Civic Education Framework. These are excellent opportunities for both levels of government to empower government and the people so that each can play their part in entrenching Devolution.

The public need to understand the scope of the promise of Devolution. The people need to effectively participate in the important processes of planning and financial management.

In addition, my government is implementing capacity assessment and rationalisation programme to evaluate skills and competencies in county governments, and direct the institutional review modes that will match skills and mandates. The biometric data capture exercise was one component of this programme. We want government at all levels to be lean, efficient, transparent, citizen-centred and competent.

The entrenchment of Devolution is ongoing. It is the eternal monument of our national consensus to unite and share both the rights and obligations of citizenship and service to Kenya. It is our testimony to our pact to do our part in bringing the people together to build Kenya, and to share the fruits of a prosperous Kenya.

This process has, however, been replete with misunderstandings. Some of them have escalated into fully-blown conflict that has paralysed county governments and disrupted devolved services. Indeed, it was with great sadness that I appointed the Commission to inquire into the affairs of the Makueni County government.

We operate in a robust democracy that must be maintained at all times. All legitimate viewpoints must be accommodated in all their diversity. However, we must not let this freedom and democracy and diversity divide or destroy our common aspirations. We must dedicate ourselves to accommodate difference and resolve misunderstandings in a peaceful way.

While devolution holds the key to a prosperous and equitable Kenya, this promise is being undermined by bad financial governance; simply put, corruption. We as a people must, without exception, be prepared to eliminate this evil practice.

I am pleased to note the people of Kenya demonstrated their support by categorically rejecting corruption at all levels of government and in all sectors of our national life. The resources available to develop this country have been generated through toil and sacrifice. They must be utilised prudently and for the intended legal purposes. I am busy fighting corruption in the national government.

I do not wish any governor to ever have that problem on their hands. Devolution is two years old now. You have an opportunity to start clean and entrench traditions of professionalism, diligence and integrity in county governments. Do not waste this opportunity.

Let’s make the people of Kenya proud by rejecting corruption and embracing integrity.