Image: Garbage_Suleiman Shahbal
In the new constitution, a governor is the CEO of the county.
He is charged with the duty of managing the resources of the county and making sure that the county runs efficiently.
Counties are receiving financial support from the National Government and are also generating their own income through various collections. It’s the county executive to ensure the wellbeing of the county and its residents by providing basic services and infrastructures to encourage growth and smooth running of the county and prosperity not only of the county but that of its residents too.
One of the biggest menace in Kenya is traffic. The availability of cheap alternative vehicles from Japan, it is the dream of every Kenyan to own a car. This even the as the population growth.
As a result, traffic snarl ups are starting to become a common sight in all towns and cities in Kenya. All this is happening while our infrastructure save for a few places have remained the same over the years. It is therefore incumbent of the County Executives in partnership with the National Government to address this issues fully. For instance, roundabouts are outplaced in our current world.
Waste management is a big menace too. It is no longer viable to allocate land for dumping. The dumping sites fill up and waste left out in the open poses many health hazards.
Image: Garbage_cleanupkenyadayThe government's move to ban plastic bags is welcome as it has been one of the biggest headaches in disposal. It is important to note that in countries like Germany, proper waste management includes recycling of particular type of waste, manufacture of fertilisers in others and energy generation with the rest.
Very little waste is not put into use and even this, is crushed to reduce bulk and incinerated and completely disposed. It is therefore important for Kenyans to elect governors who are not only visionaries, but also great managers.
Unfortunately, the political class offers little of this, with most leaders getting in leadership for the sole reason of self-interests and those of the cartels that they represent. Clinching the seat in itself would require proper political alignment which demands and dictates that the interests of the party should come first even if they are unconstitutional or not in the interests of the county and its residents.
Image: Alvin Ratemo
This means that our politics is war too young to and we need a paradigm shift as a country if real growth and proper utilization of the resources available to us is ever to be experienced. It’s time for Kenyans to wake up and demand proper service delivery.
With a constitution that gives the people power, few understand what it means to recall non performing leaders. Few understand the roles that they have in checkering the various government institutions bodies or counties.
Extensive civic education is needed. It’s time for Kenyans to wake up. Rise up and demand better services from its political class.