Council of Governors chairman Josephat Nanok during Extra Ordinary meeting, December 7, 2017. [Photo|CoG]The Council of Governors on Thursday held an Extra Ordinary meeting to discuss pertinent issues ahead of the induction meeting for governors and deputy governors next week.The meeting was graced by guests from the World Bank on behalf of the Kenya Urban Support Program (KUSP), representatives from KIPPRA, and representatives from the Bill and Melinda Gates.They made the following resolutions:"1. Kenya Urban Support Program• Under this program, the World Bank is going to support 45 Counties to a tune of Ksh 270 Billion directly for urban infrastructure development.• The Programme will be implemented for a period of six years (2017-2023). • In recognizing the importance of urban areas and cities in economic development, County Governments find this programme quite timely. As Counties develop their County Integrated Development Plans and other sectoral plans at the beginning of this regime, this programme will contribute significantly in the fulfilment of the said plans. • The Council would like to urge the Senate to quickly amend the County Allocation of Revenue Act (CARA) to include the projected US$ 22.3 million for the next three years and US$ 9 million for this financial year. This will enable the County Governments to proceed and budget their respective allocations for implementation of the urban programme. 2. KIPPRA In order for County Governments to properly plan for service delivery, it is important that this is backed by data generated from quality research. Knowledge of how many households a County has is critical information to assist a County budget appropriately for its health programmes. In this regard, County Governments are keen to partner with key institutions to drive this agenda. It is for this reason that KIPPRA made their presentation today seeking collaboration with the Council of Governors. We have resolved to cooperate with KIPPRA in order to support County Governments in developing evidence-based data-driven policy and legal frameworks. 3. Nurses CBA • As you are aware, the negotiations for the Nurses Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) are coming to a finality. We have endorsed the draft document and now the negotiating team will proceed to finalize process and have the CBA registered in the Labour court. • The Council has resolved to jointly with the National Government examine the gaps in the regulatory framework that governs that Industrial disputes in order to avert future strikes in any of the sectors. 4. Cancer Drugs• The Ministry of Health has proposed that in light of the country’s cancer care burden, that they should handle cancer treatment and management. • Our discussions have resolved that this reversal would be at the disadvantage of Kenyans. It will recentralise equipment and cancer care. A patient in Garissa will have to travel to Nairobi to access cancer services. • What County Governments need is adequate funding for equipment and comprehensive capacity building for specialists at the County level. Monies for cancer drugs should be disbursed as a conditional grant.5. Peace 1. We believe that there is need for us Governors to apply ourselves as instruments of peace in the country in light of the prevailing political circumstances. We are leaders on our right and therefore implore on all leaders to come together and seek ways to cool political temperatures. 2. We call upon all political leaders to support peace and unity. We must all seek dialogue and resist from perpetuating polarized agendas. This is the only way we will refocus our energies on development.3. As Governors, our position is that Kenya must remain united and cohesive for this and future generations. We want peace, unity and cohesion. We will not stand by as the country gets torn apart by ethnicity and tribal politics.4. The Council has established a committee to spearhead this agenda on national reconciliation, dialogue and healing. The members are as follows: 1. H.E Josphat Nanok2. H.E Kiraitu Murungi3. H.E Salim Mvurya4. H.E. Kivutha Kibwana5. H.E Wyclifee Oparanya;6. H.E. Joyce Laboso;7. H.E. Jackson Mandago;8. H.E. Charity Ngilu9. H.E. Francis Kimemia.10. Cornel RasangaH.E. Josphat NanokChairman, Council of Governors"

Share news tips with us here at Hivisasa