EXPLICIT

The proposed constitution provides room for far reaching changes that will improve the livelihood of Kenyans, President Mwai Kibaki has said.

Speaking at Kenyatta International Conference Centre at a consultative forum on the Draft Constitution for local authorities Friday, President Kibaki said the proposed constitution is explicit and lays the foundation for citizen participation in both development and general governance issues in their respective counties.

"More importantly is the fact that citizens will have express authority and discretion to determine the utilization of the resources for their general good," President Kibaki said.

The President observed that the two levels of devolved government at the national and county levels will have both distinct and inter-dependent mandates that will usher in many benefits.

President Kibaki said some of the benefits of the new constitution include improved efficiency as delivery of services will be pegged on the identification of local needs and priorities at the county level and improved accountability due to the community's ability to monitor the usage of resources.

‘Hands of the people'

The Head of State said wananchi will also benefit from improved governance as leaders will be elected directly hence be held responsible for their performance.

He added that there will also be stimulated development through community contracting and use of local resources.

Said the President: "Through empowerment of counties, power, resources and their management will be in the hands of the people. This will make the people drivers in the development of their country rather than being mere spectators."

Noting that a lot of fallacies are being peddled regarding the creation of counties in the proposed constitution, President Kibaki informed detractors that time has run out for idle talk.

In this regard, President Kibaki appealed to civic leaders to be ambassadors of the truth and use their proximity to the population to give wananchi the right information on the constitution and how it will improve the management of country's affairs so that history will remember them as agents of change who contributed to making Kenya better.

‘Government levels'

The President pointed out that county governments will be units of economic, political and administrative devolution that will not only ensure equitable distribution of resources but also open governance space at the local level.

Said President Kibaki: "Kenyans want change. Indeed, in the new constitution the two government levels will conduct their mutual relations on the basis of consultation and co-operation. Each level will also have distinct power, resources and decision-making responsibilities."

President Kibaki cited the direct election of the governor, the deputy governor and appointment of county public officers, the election of a senator, the election of a woman MP, and the extended work of councillors as members of the county assemblies to make laws and manage resources, as some of the gains of devolution.

The President, therefore, said the councillors should take pride in the fact that there will be more equitable division of revenue raised nationally among the national and county governments.

"All county governments will be entitled to an equitable share of revenue raised by the national government. For a start, 15 percent of national revenue will be set aside for county governments and later reviewed upwards; and county governments may be given additional allocations from the Equalization Fund," President Kibaki said.

Noting that the Association of Local Government Authorities of Kenya (ALGAK) has been consistent in lobbying for devolution of power since the Bomas Constitution Conference, the President assured that under the Proposed New Constitution there are guarantees for a devolved, autonomous and sustainable local government system in Kenya.

Challenges

The Head of State said it was encouraging that when the Committee of Experts settled for a two-tier level of government, civic leaders accepted and convinced their respective Members of Parliament to accept the Proposed Constitution as presented by the committee.

"For two decades, now, Kenyans have committed their energies and resources in the search for a new constitution. The road we have travelled towards a new constitution has been long and challenging. I am happy that we are now on the last lap of getting a new beginning for our country," President Kibaki said.

Saying the Local Government Act Cap 265 of the Laws of Kenya is a subsidiary legislation which has not been reviewed and updated, President Kibaki pointed out that it has led to many functional problems in the local authorities and hindered effective and efficient service delivery.

The President, however, noted that despite these challenges, the Ministry of Local Government has made impressive efforts aimed at improving local government management.

"In January, the Local Government (Amendment) Bill 2009 was published. This was a great leap forward in anticipation of a new constitution," President Kibaki said.

Noting that recently the performance contract results showed there was a 312 per cent improvement in performance by local authorities; President Kibaki said this impressive performance demonstrates the ability of local authorities to improve on service delivery if they focus on their citizens and not on perpetual politicking.

On part, the President said the Government has supported local authorities through the Local Authority Transfer Fund, adding that in the current financial year the Government will disburse over Kshs. 11 billion to local authorities.

"These funds should be used stringently to improve the financial position of local authorities and ensure better service delivery. Local authorities, therefore, need to demonstrate the positive effect of these funds," President Kibaki said.

Speaking during the occasion, Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka appealed to councilors to support the new constitution saying it will open gates for increased investments and create employment for the country's youth.

The Vice-President, therefore, said as the constitutional debate continues civic leaders should take the opportunity to unite Kenyans instead of dividing them.

Other speakers included Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Local Government Musalia Mudavadi and the Association of Local Government Authorities of Kenya (ALGAK) Chairman Cllr. Taraiya ole Kores.

The proposed constitution provides room for far reaching changes that will improve the livelihood of Kenyans, President Mwai Kibaki has said.

Speaking at Kenyatta International Conference Centre at a consultative forum on the Draft Constitution for local authorities Friday, President Kibaki said the proposed constitution is explicit and lays the foundation for citizen participation in both development and general governance issues in their respective counties.

"More importantly is the fact that citizens will have express authority and discretion to determine the utilization of the resources for their general good," President Kibaki said.

The President observed that the two levels of devolved government at the national and county levels will have both distinct and inter-dependent mandates that will usher in many benefits.

President Kibaki said some of the benefits of the new constitution include improved efficiency as delivery of services will be pegged on the identification of local needs and priorities at the county level and improved accountability due to the community's ability to monitor the usage of resources.

‘Hands of the people'

The Head of State said wananchi will also benefit from improved governance as leaders will be elected directly hence be held responsible for their performance.

He added that there will also be stimulated development through community contracting and use of local resources.

Said the President: "Through empowerment of counties, power, resources and their management will be in the hands of the people. This will make the people drivers in the development of their country rather than being mere spectators."

Noting that a lot of fallacies are being peddled regarding the creation of counties in the proposed constitution, President Kibaki informed detractors that time has run out for idle talk.

In this regard, President Kibaki appealed to civic leaders to be ambassadors of the truth and use their proximity to the population to give wananchi the right information on the constitution and how it will improve the management of country's affairs so that history will remember them as agents of change who contributed to making Kenya better.

‘Government levels'

The President pointed out that county governments will be units of economic, political and administrative devolution that will not only ensure equitable distribution of resources but also open governance space at the local level.

Said President Kibaki: "Kenyans want change. Indeed, in the new constitution the two government levels will conduct their mutual relations on the basis of consultation and co-operation. Each level will also have distinct power, resources and decision-making responsibilities."

President Kibaki cited the direct election of the governor, the deputy governor and appointment of county public officers, the election of a senator, the election of a woman MP, and the extended work of councillors as members of the county assemblies to make laws and manage resources, as some of the gains of devolution.

The President, therefore, said the councillors should take pride in the fact that there will be more equitable division of revenue raised nationally among the national and county governments.

"All county governments will be entitled to an equitable share of revenue raised by the national government. For a start, 15 percent of national revenue will be set aside for county governments and later reviewed upwards; and county governments may be given additional allocations from the Equalization Fund," President Kibaki said.

Noting that the Association of Local Government Authorities of Kenya (ALGAK) has been consistent in lobbying for devolution of power since the Bomas Constitution Conference, the President assured that under the Proposed New Constitution there are guarantees for a devolved, autonomous and sustainable local government system in Kenya.

Challenges

The Head of State said it was encouraging that when the Committee of Experts settled for a two-tier level of government, civic leaders accepted and convinced their respective Members of Parliament to accept the Proposed Constitution as presented by the committee.

"For two decades, now, Kenyans have committed their energies and resources in the search for a new constitution. The road we have travelled towards a new constitution has been long and challenging. I am happy that we are now on the last lap of getting a new beginning for our country," President Kibaki said.

Saying the Local Government Act Cap 265 of the Laws of Kenya is a subsidiary legislation which has not been reviewed and updated, President Kibaki pointed out that it has led to many functional problems in the local authorities and hindered effective and efficient service delivery.

The President, however, noted that despite these challenges, the Ministry of Local Government has made impressive efforts aimed at improving local government management.

"In January, the Local Government (Amendment) Bill 2009 was published. This was a great leap forward in anticipation of a new constitution," President Kibaki said.

Noting that recently the performance contract results showed there was a 312 per cent improvement in performance by local authorities; President Kibaki said this impressive performance demonstrates the ability of local authorities to improve on service delivery if they focus on their citizens and not on perpetual politicking.

On part, the President said the Government has supported local authorities through the Local Authority Transfer Fund, adding that in the current financial year the Government will disburse over Kshs. 11 billion to local authorities.

"These funds should be used stringently to improve the financial position of local authorities and ensure better service delivery. Local authorities, therefore, need to demonstrate the positive effect of these funds," President Kibaki said.

Speaking during the occasion, Vice-President Kalonzo Musyoka appealed to councilors to support the new constitution saying it will open gates for increased investments and create employment for the country's youth.

The Vice-President, therefore, said as the constitutional debate continues civic leaders should take the opportunity to unite Kenyans instead of dividing them.

Other speakers included Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Local Government Musalia Mudavadi and the Association of Local Government Authorities of Kenya (ALGAK) Chairman Cllr. Taraiya ole Kores.