Mudavadi rejects claims ministry holding up Bills on devolution

Kisumu

Local Government Minister Musalia Mudavadi has dismissed reports that his ministry is delaying the constitution implementation process by sitting on Bills on devolution.

Mr Mudavadi said his ministry had submitted all Bills relating to his ministry to the Constitution Implementation Oversight Committee (CIOC).

“We appointed a taskforce which drafted six laws that were submitted to the CIOC in August this year. There is no Bill pending in the Ministry of Local Government,” he said.

He was reacting to reports that Justice Minister Mutula Kilonzo had singled out lands and devolution Bills, to be submitted by Lands minister James Orengo and Mr Mudavadi respectively, as among those raising concerns. (READ: Race against time as stand-off delays tax and cash laws for counties)

The Bills on devolution are critical to the full implementation of the Constitution since they are vital to the establishment of counties, a key component of the next government.

Mr Mudavadi, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, said the taskforce, chaired by Prof Mutakha Kangu, came up with six Bills — the draft Devolved Government, Urban Areas and Cities, draft Inter-Governmental Relations, Inter-Governmental Fiscal Relations, County Government Financial Management and Transition to Devolved Government.

He said the ministry had so far received two Bills from the CIOC, one of which, the Urban Areas and Cities Bill has gone through and is now an Act of Parliament.

“The one dealing with devolution came back on Thursday from the Attorney General’s office and I have already signed and dispatched it back so the ministry is not holding any Bills,” he said.

He said the rest of the Bills were still with the CIOC and the ministry was waiting for feedback.

The Bills on devolution are among crucial ones that are to be debated before the February 26 deadline.