Kisii Deputy Governor Joash Maangi has defended a petition submitted to the Senate by Council of Deputy Governors seeking review of article 180 that limits their powers as mere ‘flower girls’ to the governors.
The petition was submitted recently to the Senate committee in charge of devolution that seeks to award the deputy governors more powers.
On Thursday in Kisii town, Mr Maangi faulted the drafters of the constitution for limiting powers of deputy governors and urged Senate to aestheticize the petition for efficiency at county level.
“I want to say that the petition which we submitted to the Senate is well intended. The drafters of the constitution limited our powers making us mere flower girls under the new dispensation. Apart from representing Governors in functions, we do not have serious jurisdictions and this is a blow to devolution,” he said.
The deputy governor, who also doubles as chairperson of deputy governors council, said the petition would reduce conflict of interprets between governors and their deputies.
“It’s not just seeking more powers. We have also proposed how we can work with governors with minimal frictions as we have experienced in a number of counties, a shortcoming that hinders development,” he added.
He urged Senate to work in speed and salvage the counties by adopting the recommendations in the petition.
“It’s time for the Senate as a custodian of the constitution to chip in and rescue counties. There are a lot of issues ranging from powers to participatory leadership which we have clearly highlighted in the petition. All we want is a say in the management of county affairs,” he said.