The Council of Governors (CoG) has hailed the performance of devolved units since they came into being three years ago.
Chairman and Meru Governor Peter Munya said devolution of health function has significantly brought down infant and maternal mortality rate from 64 to 44 per cent in the country.
He also said county pharmacies are well stocked with medicine and qualified health workers.
“The Transition Period is over, if we were to evaluate our progress we would say that our performance has been sterling. We have vibrant Health sector that has significantly brought down infant and maternal mortality rate from 64 to 44 per cent in the country; Pharmacies that are well stocked with medicine and qualified health workers," he said after a CoG meeting in Enashipai Resort in Naivasha on April 8.
Munya said county governments have increased road network coverage in the country, and accessibility through both tarmacked and murramed roads.
He also said that in nearly all counties, residents have access to clean water.
The Meru governor also said the agricultural sector has been transformed and mechanised, increasing yields, value addition and access to local and international markets.
He added that many children now have access to quality education, thanks to devolution.
“We now have a revolutionised ECD sector with an enrollment of at least 2.5 million children and counting,” he said.
He said CoG will not allow anything to derail the progress of devolution after the end of the Transition Period.
CoG however raised concerns over duplication of functions of the counties by regional bodies.
The council said the bodies are irrelevant as far as devolution is concerned.
“We reinstate that regional bodies are duplicating the functions of the counties. These institutions do not remain relevant in light of the supposed attempts at restructuring and downsizing the national government structures.”
“The county governments will work with the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee to resolve the issue before the end of the year to know how best to transfer the assets to the counties within the regions,” CoG said.
CoG also faulted the national government over failure to disburse funds to counties in time to enhance its operations.
The council said counties have debts since the government has not sent money to counties since February this year.
“Counties have debts. No disbursements have been made since February 2016 and the financial year closes on 30th June 2016. How will these debts be paid?”