Nominated Senator Joy Gwendo has called on elected leaders to be goodwill ambassadors of devolution for proper service delivery to Kenyans.
Gwendo asked governors, senators, MPs and MCAs to defend the gains made since the inception of the devolved system of governance.
Speaking to Journalists in Kisumu on Monday, Senator Gwendo assured that the government is committed to implementing devolution.
She noted the need for county and national leaderships to agree on how each of them can do their part to make devolution a resounding success.
Senator Gwendo said that the success of devolution is a collective responsibility of all Kenyans and leaderships in both national and county governments.
Gwendo said Jubilee administration is ready to listen to county governments’ leadership on issues affecting the success of devolution for the betterment of Kenyans.
The Senator urged County governments to accommodate legitimate viewpoints to maintain the robust democracy in the country.
"Wrangles in some counties have undermined the public confidence in the capacity of county governments to meet their expectations. This is dangerous for devolution," said Gwendo.
Gwendo said differences at the county level should not be allowed to interfere with freedom, democracy and diversity or destroy Kenyans’ common aspirations.
She described the ongoing entrenchment of devolution as the eternal monument of the national consensus to unite and share both the rights and obligations of citizenship and service to Kenyans.
Gwendo pointed out that the inevitable functional overlaps should not generate to an arena for conflict, but opportunities to maximise synergies.
She said negotiation and cooperation between county and national government when sustained and applied consistently will ensure more success on devolution.
Gwendo also noted that Kenyans have tasted the fruits of devolution and look forward to national and county leaderships that unite to realise the desired goals.
She said that resources available to develop the country have been generated through toil and sacrifice and should only be utilised prudently and for the intended legal purposes further urging governors to utilise the available opportunities at their disposal to entrench diligence and integrity in county governments.
Gwendo said devolution will only succeed if implementers take up the challenge of dedicating their efforts to fulfil the vision and philosophy which inspired the innovation.
"Devolved system of governance is aimed at strengthening Kenya’s sovereignty by giving people greater access to their sovereign power," said Senator Gwendo.