Public must hold governors to account

That the position of governor will attract the highest number of contenders in next year’s General Election sums up how much devolution has been misunderstood in Kenya.

It is not surprising that a majority of senators want to be elected as governors.

Since the governor’s position comes with overwhelming powers on control of budgets, the office holder is often perceived to be above the law and accountable to no one.

Given the fact that no single governor has been impeached, despite the massive evidence of misuse of public funds we have seen, such a perception is not too far from the truth, erroneous as it is.

That devolution has changed the face of Kenya is not in doubt. A few areas which hardly received attention from national government are now beaming with optimism.

But massive corruption and abuse of office have also been equally devolved.

What has devolution changed? Quantitatively, huge budgets are now allocated to the 47 devolved units.

Qualitatively, the more we change, the more we remain the same. Counties with good leadership are registering significant progress.

Those bent on corruption, which are a majority, are offering a raw deal.

The complaining public are at it again. Tune into any vernacular FM station and you will be shocked at the number of Kenyans complaining about poor leadership, corruption and lack of services in the counties.

But what exactly went wrong with devolution and accountability? People wanted governments closer to them. They got them. Regrettably, devolution came without proper accountability structures.

DEMI GODS
While the framers of the Constitution removed a lot of power from the President, the absence of commissions and other agencies around the governor aided the kind of corruption we are witnessing today.

As long as a governor commands a majority influence and or can induce such influence at the county assembly, he literally has leeway to act in any manner he chooses.

Why? Other than MCAs, there is literally no other effective form of oversight on rogue governors. The media, which can provide effective oversight by publishing stories about sleaze in the counties, have not performed this role very well.

Even civil society groups in the counties are increasingly coming under the influence of deep-pocketed governors.

So have the religious leaders, many of whom would be happy to host their governor in their mosque, church or temple.

As such, they would be the last people to be seen to be critics of the governor.

Governors are the revered reigning demigods. No one is thought to be wise by openly calling for them to be accountable to the people. Sanctions would be swift.

Woe unto you if your kin is employed at the county and you dare criticise the governor, however objective you are, the job of your kin would be at risk.

CORRUPTION
Consequently, many silently hope that most if not all, of the 47 powerful men will fall during the forthcoming elections.

Unknown to them, it is this very conspiracy of silence that could see many of the governors bounce back to office – on account of self-preservation.

Governors are using public resources to build huge campaign war chests. They will, until the last minute, use public resources to campaign as they are currently doing.

In a nutshell, devolution is bound to remain fruitless, contrary to popular expectations, as long as sitting governors will daily focus on their re-election bids instead of working for the electorate.

Even then, as long as the County Public Service Boards and other supposedly independent devolved units remain under heavy control of governors, accountability levels will shrink further.

The public shall lose huge resources and eventually the anticipated local development will remain a pipe dream.

Only informed, structured and active engagement of citizens in the manner they are governed will force governors to perform to their expectations or else risk being voted out.

Stephen Mutoro is secretary general of Consumers Organisation of Kenya (Cofek)