Let me start this article by declaring that I am an ardent supporter of Right Honorable Raila Amollo Odinga. I have always admired the man. I have agreed with most, if not all, of his policies. When he rallied Kenyans to vote for a new constitution, I was one of the Kenyans who strongly supported him. I believed and still believe in the devolved system of government. It, therefore, goes without saying that I was happy when the new constitution was promulgated in 2010.
After the 2013 general election, I was eager to reap, either directly or indirectly, from the devolved system of government under the presidency of Uhuru Kenyatta. Even though I was sad that my man (Raila Odinga) lost the elections, I was somehow hopeful that the new constitution would bring a wind of change in the way government is run. With the introduction of County governments, many Kenyans were hopeful that resources would finally trickle down to the common wananchi at the grass root level.
Five years later, Kenyans have witnessed that the devolved system of government is working. Money is getting to the Counties. Governors and Members of County assemblies (MCAs) are doing their best to make sure resources get to the people. Different MCAs are fighting for development in their various wards. Roads are being constructed and rural electrification program is on high gear.Huduma centers are up and running. Health centers are being constructed and the existing ones are being renovated and upgraded. I live in Machakos County and I have seen what the governor has achieved for the past five years.
I cannot say that it is all bread and butter. There are many challenges facing devolution and more needs to be done. Corruption is just one of the cancer eating our Country. Leaders need to be more responsible and accountable. The idea of devolution was to bring government services and resources closer to the people. I therefore strongly disagree with National Super Alliance leader Hon.Raila Odinga’s proposal of a three-tier system. While addressing delegates during the Annual devolution conference in Kakamega last week, Raila proposed that another level of governance should be introduced in between the National government and the County government. On this one, Raila is wrong.
Another level of governance will, at its best, entrench corruption and, at its worst, kill devolution. As it is now, governors are crying foul that the national government is not disbursing funds to the counties in time. With another layer in between national government and County government, this will take even longer.It will also make it difficult for people at the grass root level to access government services. As the Deputy President Hon. William Ruto aptly puts it, devolution can only go downwards, not upwards.