War of words over county boards

Leaders Sunday traded words over the creation of County Development Committees which President Kenyatta approved last week.

Most governors declared it unconstitutional, while senators welcomed the new law, saying the committees were only meant to introduce transparency.

Kirinyaga Governor Joseph Ndathi said he would boycott all meetings of the newly created committee to be chaired by the area senator.

The new law empowers senators to chair the committees, with governors as secretaries.

“I was not elected by the people to be anybody’s secretary, and I will not attend meetings of such a committee,” he told the Press at his office in Kutus Town.

The law was signed two days ahead of a meeting between senators and governors in Mombasa. The governors boycotted the meeting in protest. They have moved to court to challenge the new law.
But Kwale MCAs supported the new law. Speaking at Baobab Beach Resort in Diani on Sunday, Tiwi Ward Representative Omar Mwakuambirizwa said the committees would speed up development. Governors, he said, would now focus on other responsibilities.

“Governors are very busy people, so we think it is important for them to share responsibilities with senators,” he said.

Kasemeni Ward Representative Antony Yama also said the signing of the law was a step in the right direction, as did Gombato/Bongwe Ward Representative Omar Boga, who said the new law would create order in development.

CURTAILING THEIR POWERS

But governors view the new law as aimed at curtailing their powers. According to them, such an amendment requires a referendum.

However, Kisumu senator Anyang’ Nyong’o Sunday said the law would instead protect devolution, which he said had become vulnerable in the absence of such legislation.

“Senators have no interest in executive work in counties; the decision for us to chair boards was arrived at through extensive consultations,” he told mourners at the funeral of former Planning Minister Adhu Awiti in Karachuonyo constituency at the weekend.

Governors Cornel Rasanga (Siaya), Cyprian Awiti (Homa Bay) and Kisumu deputy governor Ruth Odinga, were also present at the burial.

And speaking in Kakamega, Lugari MP Ayub Savula asked governors not to panic.

“This will provide checks and balances in the way billions of devolved funds disbursed to counties are managed so that Kenyans can reap full the benefits of devolution,” Mr Savula told journalists.
However, Malava MP Moses Malulun Injendi said the law could slow down development as senators could usurp executive roles.

“This can be challenging because the senators are supposed to play legislative roles.”

In West Pokot County, leaders want the chair of the board to be an elective post to avoid a scramble for power.

Speaking in Kapenguria at the weekend, Pokot South MP David Pkossing accused senators of mischievously imposing themselves as bosses of development boards.

“What if the senator doesn’t get the backing of Members of Parliament or is not liked by the board members?” he asked.

Mr Pkossing, however, accused governors of being ruthless, saying it was their behaviour that propelled MPs to pass the Bill in Parliament.

West Pokot Women Representative Rejina Nyeris also supported the new law.

By George Munene, Oscar Kakai, Moses Odhiambo, John Shilitsa and Farouk Mwabege