By PSCU
President Uhuru Kenyatta has asked governors to prudently utilize resources allocated to the devolved units to ensure Kenyans receive efficient and effective services.
The president emphasized that all the revenue collected at the national and county government levels through taxation must be put into proper use, saying the move will bolster achievement of the Big Four Agenda.
President Kenyatta said corruption, lethargy and sloth in the two tiers of government will not be tolerated and those engaging in the vices will have to carry their own cross.
“We must, therefore, be prudent: every cent of revenue collected must return maximum impact on the welfare of taxpayers,” said President Kenyatta during the opening of the 5th Devolution Conference at Kakamega High School, on Tuesday.
President Kenyatta, through live televised address from State House, Nairobi, expressed the need to streamline inter-governmental relations so that both the national and county tiers of governance can exist and thrive beyond merely debating matters of resource allocation.
The president called on the two levels of governance to focus more on the strategic issues of development that matter most to the people.
There is also need to strengthen the framework of cooperation and coordination between the national and county governments and lift the mutual partnership above partisan and transactional engagements, said the president.
“The time for full cooperation with each other is now. This is important to ensure we succeed in executing the Big Four Agenda,” he said.
President Kenyatta urged leaders to bring down political temperatures and intrigues so that the country can concentrate on wealth creation and prosperity.
“Left unchecked, our political intrigues can grow into a big tree under whose shade nothing can take root. We must all agree there will be a season for politics, but that season is not with us now,” said President Kenyatta.
He added: “It is now time to work to create wealth and prosperity for our people.”
The president reminded leaders that Kenyans are tired of political bickering, saying they want to see both levels of government working together and fully accepting their interdependence.
“There is absolutely no time to waste: Kenyans want to see results, not recrimination; they want integrity, not corruption; and they want prudence, not profligacy,” he said.
He called on leaders to engage on issues without poisoning the political environment so that the country can continue on the trajectory of progress.