Relationship with our bosses worsening, say deputy governors

The working relationship between governors and their deputies is worsening, deputy governors meeting in Isiolo have claimed.

The deputy governors have also raised concern that in some counties, the relationship with their bosses was turning violent.

Speaking in Isiolo County where they met to deliberate on issues affecting county governments, they condemned recent incidents where some of them have received violent treatment from their bosses.

The chairperson of the deputy governors’ forum who is also Narok deputy governor Evalyn Chepkirui Aruasa said the violent working relationship was threatening to derail devolution gains.

She said deputy governors have formed a mediation team to ensure governors and their deputies work as a team to ensure devolution becomes a success.

Ms Aruasa appealed to governors to resolve issues in counties amicably in consultation with their deputies.

"We don't want a scenario whereby Kenyans witness violent activities against deputy governors," she said.

SUPPORT UHURU

Kisii deputy governor who is also the forum secretary Joash Maangi said they had agreed on the need to support the President's stand on the fight against terrorism as insecurity affected all Kenyans.

Mr Maangi said county governments should be given a substantive role in security matters.

He said governors and their deputies play a very crucial role in ensuring security prevails amongst communities within counties.

He said that it was also important to devolve education infrastructure.

He said that even though education is a national function, county governments are called upon whenever classrooms are destroyed by natural forces such as wind adding that schools are community based.

The deputy governors agreed that education policies should remain with the national government, but education infrastructure should be devolved to the county governments.