Governors discuss climate impact, response to El Nino

Council of Governors Chair Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga), Vice Chair Ahmed Abdullahi (Wajir), Whip Stephen Sang and Narok Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu during a press conference at the MGM Muthu Keekorok Lodge in the Maasai Mara game reserve on Wednesday, November 7, 2023, during the start of a three days devolution annual retreat. [John Tiapukel, Standard].

The impact of the ongoing El Nino rains ravaging the country and a review of the progress of the devolved units are among the top agendas at the governor's annual retreat in the Maasai Mara Game Reserve.

The retreat, which according to the Council of Governors (COG), is to review the progress in the last year, will be used to discuss emerging social issues like the floods affecting most of the counties.

In a press briefing at Keekorok Lodge in Naivasha, the CoG chair and Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru said the meeting was crucial in taking stock of the devolved units.

"The CoG is here to assess our strengths, opportunities, weaknesses, threats and how we can take a position on how as council take the matters of devolution forward," said Waiguru.

She said the retreat hosted by Narok County for the first time since the advent of Devolution in 2013, will help assess the matters of common interest on how they would engage with other stakeholders, including the civil society, the private sector and the national government.

She said the forum themed; 'Reflect, Realign, and Renew 'will also reflect on the core and progress of devolution and delve into various functions carried by the devolved unit and those still withstanding to be transferred from the National government.

CoG vice chair Ahmed Abdullahi (Wajir governor) said they would also be discussing how best the counties would respond to the devastating effects of El Nino that are currently ravaging the country.

The same sentiments were shared by the CoG chief whip Stephen Sang (Nandi governor), who said the erratic weather conditions being experienced in the country are because of climate change.

The host, Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu, said the homes of hundreds of residents from Nairagie Enkare villages in Narok East were swept away by floods.

While welcoming his colleagues to Narok, Ntutu said that established under Section 19 of the Intergovernmental Relations Act (IGRA 2012) consisting of the governors of the 47 counties, the COG provides an annual forum for consultation amongst county governments.

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