Sunday, October 27, 2013

Senators drafting law seeking to give residents more say on county matters

Committee chairman Amos Wako said the Bill was constitutional and boards were meant to improve service delivery in counties. Photo/FILE Nation Media Group

In Summary

• Move comes after lawmakers noted that little had been done to include public in country’s governance
• Involvement could be through forums at local levels

By DENNIS ODUNGAMore by this Author

A Bill that seeks to enhance participation by residents in county matters is on the way.

This comes after senators said little had been done to incorporate the public in the country’s governance.

The Senate’s Committee on Legal Affairs and Human Rights said the Constitution emphasises people’s participation in governance and that such a Bill would provide appropriate checks and balances and hold leaders accountable as they execute their mandate.

ELECTED LEADERS

The chairman of the committee, Mr Amos Wako, who is also Busia Senator, said they would table a Bill before the House that seeks to implement section 91 of The County Governments Act, 2012 that addresses devolution issues.

The section stipulates that the county government should facilitate the establishment of structures for citizen participation.

The Act says this should be through involvement of elected leaders in decision-making or establishment of citizens’ forums at the county level.

Mr Wako said the country needs a structured system and appropriate laws that would give room to other Kenyans, as opposed to only leaders, to be actively involved in the development agenda in their counties.

TRANSPARENCY

Nandi Senator Stephen Sang’, the vice-chairman of the committee, said the oversight units would enhance transparency and accountability in counties, besides being actively involved in determining projects that deserve priority.

Senator Fatuma Dullo, while acknowledging the need to involve other Kenyans in matters affecting their counties, said leaving all the work to the elected leaders was dangerous.

“In some counties, rarely does a governor consult with a senator, particularly if they are from different parties. Some county representatives can’t question what the governor says,” she said.

The secretary of the Council of Governors, Mr Ken Lusaka, however, criticised the Senate for spending valuable time creating oversight units, he said were already provided for in the Constitution.

He said governors were aware of the need for citizen participation and were involving ordinary Kenyans in decision-making.

“We don’t need a Bill to prompt us to do what we are already doing willingly” Mr Lusaka, who is also the governor for Bungoma said.