Turkana Governor Josephat Nanok has lauded opposition chief Raila Odinga for his efforts in ensuring equitable resource allocation in the country.
Nanok who spoke after Raila's address during the fifth Devolution Conference in Kakamega on Wednesday were it not for the former prime minister, Kenyans would not have know anything to do with devolution.
"I applaud Raila Odinga for being a champion of devolution and the decentralisation of power and resources from Nairobi to the grassroots," Nanok who is the Council of Governors Chairman said.
He was speaking flanked by Raila, Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and Council of Governors Deputy Chair and Kirinyaga Governor Ann Waiguru.
The conference that opened on Monday will run for five days and Raila was among key leaders who were expected to make an address during the event.
Raila is a principal champion of the new Constitution that was passed in 2010, a document that recognized devolution as a system of administration that will help equitably distribute resources throughout the country.
In his speech during the conference Raila expressed fear that rampant corruption in counties may derail efforts geared towards realizing development at the grassroots level.
"MCAs and Speakers are being accused of stalling projects. Often they are the contractors yet purport to conduct their oversight roles. This corruption network is eating devolution from inside out," the former Langata MP said.