MPs absence worrying
What you need to know:
- It is worrying that leaders ostensibly serving the same voters and the same public would refuse to participate in such an important joint meeting — bringing together county and national government leaders — crucial to smoothen the bumps in the system that have affected some aspects of devolution.
The just-ended Devolution Conference in Kisumu was largely a success story that took stock of the new system of governance for the last two years.
However, one disturbing aspect was the absence of key leaders expected to ensure that devolution takes off in earnest for the benefit of wananchi.
At the conference, the programme showed that quite a number of Members of Parliament had been invited to participate.
Most of them did not show up. While some said they did not receive official invitations, political reasons seemed to have informed the no-show decision for others.
It is worrying that leaders ostensibly serving the same voters and the same public would refuse to participate in such an important joint meeting — bringing together county and national government leaders — crucial to smoothen the bumps in the system that have affected some aspects of devolution.
All over the country, there are many counties where elected leaders do not see eye to eye and have made endless political posturing their staple.
It means that otherwise useful energy is needlessly wasted when leaders only want to stage supremacy battles.
It is important for MPs to work together with governors, senators and members of the county assembly. We hope lessons from the devolution conference will provide an opportunity for leaders to join hands.
