6,000 delegates set for Meru forum to 'celebrate' devolution
From left: Mandera Senator Billow Kerrow Devolution Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri and the Senate Committee on Devolution Chairman Prof Wilfred Lesan take a break during a workshop on draft devolution policy by the Ministry and the Senate Committee on Devolution March 14, 2016 at Serena Beach resort in Mombasa. PHOTO | WACHIRA MWANGI | NATION MEDIA GROUP.
What you need to know:
- Among the key guests expected to attend the event are President Uhuru Kenyatta, his Deputy William Ruto, Namibia’s Prime Minister Dr Saara Kuugogelwa-Amadhila and Burundi’s minister in charge of communal development, Mr Jean Kagayo.
- Mr Kiunjuri said both the national and county governments should continue working together for devolution to be a full success story.
- He said the conference would also provide a chance for both tiers of governments to take stock of the achievements and how to better relations.
About 6,000 guests are expected to attend the annual devolution conference set to be held in Meru between April 20 and 22 this year.
The devolved units will take the opportunity to “celebrate devolution” during the event with several issues to be tackled, including corruption which has been a huge challenge in the counties.
Other subjects to be addressed during the third devolution conference will include sustainable development goals, technology as a tool for development, public participation and inclusivity among others.
Among the key guests expected to attend the event are President Uhuru Kenyatta, his Deputy William Ruto, Namibia’s Prime Minister Dr Saara Kuugogelwa-Amadhila and Burundi’s minister in charge of communal development, Mr Jean Kagayo.
Council of Governors Vice-Chairman Salim Mvurya, who is also co-chairing the devolution conference steering committee with Devolution Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri, said devolution has brought many success stories but there were also challenges that had been faced.
“We go to the conference very confident that devolution is working in this country,” said Mr Mvurya, while addressing a press conference on Wednesday in Nairobi to give an overview of the expected event.
“We are aware of the challenges but it does not mean the governors are not working,” he added while speaking during the joint media briefing with Mr Kiunjuri.
He said while corruption has been a challenge in counties, the institutions tasked with fighting graft should do their work well adding that graft would be among areas to be discussed in the meeting.
“The overall theme would be “celebrating devolution” and we will specifically be looking at the promises of devolution, consolidating the gains after transition and looking into the future,” said Mr Mvurya.
Mr Kiunjuri said both the national and county governments should continue working together for devolution to be a full success story.
He said the conference would also provide a chance for both tiers of governments to take stock of the achievements and how to better relations.
“We expect that the outcomes of the conference will, going forward, become important reference towards strengthening our devolution,” said the CS.
