President’s failure to attempt talks dampens delegates’ mood as CJ pledges that more courts will be set up in different regions of the country.
THURSDAY APRIL 21 2016
Namibian Prime Minister Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila (left), who was the chief guest during the opening of the Devolution Conference being held at the Meru Polytechnic, arrives at the venue accompanied by Devolution CS Mwangi Kiunjuri, Vihiga Governor Moses Akaranga and his Kwale and Meru counterparts, Mr Salim Mvurya and Mr Peter Munya (right), who is also the chairman of the Council of Governors. PHOTO | JOSEPH KANYI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
President Uhuru Kenyatta has pledged to deal ruthlessly with governors who engage in corruption.
He said corruption, wastage, mismanagement and infighting were the major threats to the success of devolution, a system of sharing resources that Kenya embraced three years ago.
In a speech read on his behalf by Devolution Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri, the President told the governors meeting in Meru that those who steal or misuse public resources will be handled like ordinary criminals.
“Of course we have difficulties in fighting corruption but that is not an excuse for you to pick the vice and run with it or fail to fight it with all your might,” President Kenyatta said in the speech read during the third annual devolution conference.
The meeting, bringing together thousands of delegates, was held at the Meru National Polytechnic.
“If you fail to handle it (the money) prudently… if you fail to handle it with care as Kenyans demand, then you are no better than ordinary criminals and my government will not hesitate to handle you as one,” he said.
Several governors have been interviewed by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission over corruption while others are facing court cases.
Council of Governors Chairman Peter Munya said both the county and national governments should deal with corruption.
He cautioned against the war on corruption being used for witch-hunting and settling of political scores.
“The war against corruption should not be used as a witch-hunt. It should be objective and credible to improve service delivery,” said Mr Munya.
He also noted that all the major agencies involved in ensuring accountability were controlled by the national government.
President Kenyatta, whose failure to attend the conference dampened the mood at the meeting, urged senators, MPs, governors and other leaders to work together for the success of devolution. He promised to help bring leaders together.
Although governors have accused the Jubilee administration of introducing laws that undermine devolution, the President said his government fully supported the transfer of resources to the grassroots.
“We must guard the fruits of devolution as it came after a long struggle,” the President said, adding that devolution has been a great success because the system had brought resources and services closer to Kenyans.
About Sh1 trillion has been disbursed to counties since the start of devolution after the 2013 General Election.
Another Sh168 billion has been given to arid and semi-arid lands.
While Kenyans want to make their own decisions, he said, “we must remain united”.
“The nation is indivisible. Kenya is one unitary State and one indivisible nation,” he said.
President Kenyatta also pushed for election of more women to various positions and asked county governments to ensure representation of marginalised groups.
“County governments must work with us for devolution to succeed. The national government cannot carry the burden of deepening devolution on its own,” he added.
Chief Justice Willy Mutunga, who also addressed the gathering, said more courts would be established in counties such as Kajiado and Tharaka-Nithi among others. Mobile courts, he said, had been increased from 19 to 52.
Governors highlighted key achievements of their governments.
They also called for additional funding to the counties, saying the current allocation is too little.
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