Most MPs snub devolution of power forum

Tuesday, 07 June 2011 00:10 BY FRANCIS MUREITHI

POWER SHARING? Prime Minister Raila Odinga address MPs and members of the taskforce on devolved government during the workshop held at KIA Kabete yesterday.

Prime Minister Raila Odinga yesterday cautioned over what he termed as "forces out to frustrate devolution of power though county governments".
Raila said some individuals, whom he did not name, were more focused on the retention of a powerful central government despite the new constitution providing otherwise.
The PM cited the issue of provincial administration as one of the most contentious that may derail the effectiveness of the county governments.
He said some people do not want to “let go” the chain of the PC, DC, the DO, chief and sub-chief.“It is important to take recognition that we are also dealing with conservatisms,” Raila told a poorly attended workshop for MPs at the Kenya Institute of Administration in Kabete, Nairobi.
“The constitution calls for restructuring of provincial administration for the purpose of ensuring that it is in tune with the system of devolved government. But we also know that the constitution provides for the supremacy of county governments in managing their affairs,” he added.
The workshop was organised by the Local Government Ministry in conjunction with Parliament to grant MPs a chance to deliberate on the recommendations contained in a report prepared by a Task Force on Devolved Government. Despite its importance, only about 35 legislators turned up.
The taskforce chaired by Mutakha Kangu has among other things proposed that present Provincial Administration be renamed to National Administration.
While titles like Provincial Commissioners (PC’s), District officer (DC), Divisional Officer (DO) will vanish, the proposal is to retain the title of a chief.
The report proposes that instead of PC’s and DC’s, there be 47 administrators each in charge of a county.  The person will hold the title of County Administrator.
This means that the current 8 PC’s are likely going to be deployed to head the counties while more DC’s will be elevated to be in-charge of the remaining counties.
Other issues cited as contentious by Raila include the qualifications of governors, senators and county assembly members, the establishment of county public service and allocation of revenues to the county governments.
Local Government minister Musalia Mudavadi, who established the taskforce, warned that Parliament risks missing the timelines outlined in the transitional clauses for the enactment of laws to ensure full functioning of the county governments.
A total of 13 new legislations are supposed to be enacted to operationalise the devolved governments. So far, no law touching on the devolution has been passed by Parliament.
“It will be improper and unconstitutional for us to go to the next election without passing laws for bringing into force the county governments,” said Musalia.
But deputy Speaker Farah Maalim allayed fears that Parliament may miss the timelines for passing the proposed laws saying MPs were ready to hold sessions even past mid night.