Counties rush to form transition committees ahead of polls

Devolution Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri addresses residents of Makuyu, Murang'a County, on June 6, 2017. His ministry directed counties to set up a committee that will compile a summary of assets. PHOTO | GRACE GITAU | NATION MEDIA GROUP

By  NATION TEAM

What you need to know:

  • Mr Kiunjuri asked the county governments to set up committees to allow for smooth transfer of power.
  • Vihiga County government has already formed a transition committee to review the county’s assets.

Counties in western Kenya have started preparing for transition after the August elections.

This is after the Ministry of Devolution and National Planning allowed them to form change-over committees.

POWER TRANSFER

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County secretaries in Kisumu, Kakamega, Bomet, Nyamira, Vihiga and Busia said the teams comprising technocrats and civil servants were already in place, in response to a Friday directive by Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri.

Mr Kiunjuri asked the county governments to set up transition committees 30 days to the General Election to allow for smooth transfer of power.

ASSETS
Each committee will consist of the county secretary, county commissioner, officer in charge of legal matters and chief officers for public service, information and communication, finance, public works and roads, as well as the head of National Police Service in the county.

The directive also notified counties to set up a committee that will compile a summary of assets.

MEETING

Kisumu County secretary Ojwang Lusi said preparations for the setting up of the committee were on course “with the team expected to be in place soon”.

In Nyamira, county secretary Eric Onchana said the Assumption of Office of the Governor committee was formed last Friday with his Bomet counterpart Jonathan Soi saying the team will have its first meeting in the course of this week.

HAND OVER
Kakamega’s Beatrice Sabane said the newly formed team has already started holding meetings in preparation for the hand over process.

Vihiga County government has already formed a transition committee to review the county’s assets, a communication from Governor Moses Akaranga’s office said.

DELAY
However, Homa Bay, Kisii and Migori counties are yet to form committees.

Kisii County secretary Robin Ombasa said there was a delay in receiving the notice and they could not act without the notification.

Reports by Silas Apollo, Henry Nyarora, Elisha Otieno, Benson Amadala, Geoffrey Rono, Derick Luvega and Magati Obebo. 

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