LEADERS HAIL DEVOLUTION AS THE 6TH EDITION OF DEVOLUTION CONFERENCE IS OFFICIALLY OPENED

The sixth annual devolution conference was today officially opened in Kirinyaga County as leaders from national and county governments saying devolution of governance structures in the country had positively impacted the intended beneficiaries -ordinary Kenyans.

H.E. the President, Uhuru Kenyatta, Deputy President William Ruto, the Chairman of CoG, H.E. Wycliffe Oparanya, Devolution Cabinet Secretary, Eugine Wamalwa and Speaker of the Senate, Hon. Ken Lusaka agreed that devolved units would be a huge blessing to county residents as long as policy and legal frameworks are reviewed to address gaps in implementation of the system. President Uhuru said it did not make sense for a county to spend 80% of its budget on oversight activities and a negligible amount on development.

On his part, Chairman Oparanya said County governments had embraced devolution but challenges still exist in funding and human resource management.

The president renewed his government’s commitment to fight corruption through constitutionally mandated institutions and condemned some individuals who use side-shows to undermine his resolve. “Come clean if you have been unfairly mentioned in corrupt deals by going through the legal process, ” he said.

Also present were governors, including the host (Kirinyaga) H.E. Anne Waiguru, deputy governors including Kakamega’s Prof. Philip Kutima, Senators, MPs, MCAs, diplomatic corps, Principal Secretaries, CAS’s, among others.

Among Kakamega executives were the Chairperson of the County Public Service Board, Mrs. Rodah Masaviru, CECMs Mr. Alfred Matianyi, Mr. Kassim Were, Dr. Beatrice Sabana and County Secretary, Madam Jacinta Aluoch Odhiambo as well as Chief Officers Dr. Brenda Makokha, Mr. Jeremiah Namunyu and Chief of Staff, Mr. Robert Sumbi and Advisor Strategy Governance, Mr. Musa Chibole.