Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi has urged elected leaders to maintain high levels of integrity and be a true reflection of integrity, transparency, and accountability for the country to reap the fruits of devolution.
Citing the ongoing cases of corruption in the country, Kingi said institutions mandated to fight corruption must hold every public officer accountable to ensure efficient service delivery which will permeate development to the grassroots level.
He said citizens, as well as other stakeholders like civil societies, must be actively engaged in audit processes in order to strengthen oversight, thereby fighting corruption and misappropriation of public funds.
While presenting his views as the Council of Governor's Legal Affairs and Human Rights Committee Chairperson during the "Governance and Accountability" session at the ongoing 6th Annual Devolution Conference in Kirinyaga County, Kingi said devolution has been the vehicle for transformation and prosperity as Kilifi County for the last six years.
"The key to achieving our aspirations as a County has been the cordial working relationship between my administration, the County Assembly and the Great People of Kilifi County."
Since inception, the governor said Kilifi residents have rallied themselves as a people to ensure transformative action-plan aims to realise inclusive growth through equitable development in every part of Kilifi; envisioned a developed County where citizens have sufficient job opportunities and live better lives.
"From inception, my administration has been keen to ensure that critical projects and programs are initiated to realise the promise of devolution. True to this, devolution has meant that the benefits of development reach many more Kilifians. We reiterate our commitment as a Government in providing support towards empowering the people of Kilifi County," he added on Wednesday.
On his part, Mombasa County Governor Ali Hassan Joho led the governors at the conference in taking stock of the achievements and challenges facing devolved units especially focusing on what he said was enhanced service delivery in all sectors at the grassroots.
"It is absolutely paramount to strengthen devolution further in order to foster equity in development and prosperity across the country," he said.