MCAs, senators devolution summit starts in Mombasa

More than 2,000 members of county assemblies and senators are meeting in Mombasa for the third annual Devolution Legislative Summit which starts Monday.

Deputy President William Ruto is expected to officially open the summit on Tuesday with Nasa leader Raila closing it on Thursday.

This year’s theme is: “The Devolution Debate: Aligning Legislation to Development Agenda.”

SH24 BILLION

Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho is listed as one of the speakers at the event being held in Pride Inn Hotel.

If Mr Joho and Mr Ruto attend the opening, it will be the first time the two politicians are sharing a platform since declaring their interest in running for presidency in 2022.

The proposal to create Ward Development Fund is expected to feature prominently in the forum.

The proposal with an estimated annual budget of Sh24 billion, has sparked a row between the national government, governors, senators and members of county assemblies.

'UNNECESSARY'

The fund is envisaged to operate largely like the Constituency Development Fund, through the County Wards Development Equalisation Bill 2018.

Senate Committee on County Public Accounts and Investment chairman Moses Kajwang’ has termed the creation of the fund as unnecessary.

Members of the county assemblies have, however, been pushing to have the funds allocated to them for purposes of “strengthening devolution.”

At least 2,500 MCAs and 47 senators are set to attend event which has been held in Mombasa for three consecutive years.

RESPONSIBILITY

County Assemblies Forum chairman Johnstone Osoi said the summit’s aim to strengthen inter-governmental relations and enhance public participation in governance and devolution by aligning the assemblies' legislation mandate to matters development.

Former Mandera Senator Billow Kerrow is expected to moderate debate titled, “From vision to development: A case for facilitating development through legislation.”

There will also be a review of legislative development with a focus on devolution and devolved functions with a statement on current status of legislation in counties is to be made.

The participants will also tackle a discussion on “Resourcing counties and devolved functions for optimal service delivery: A case for Big Four agenda-roles, responsibility and coordination between the two levels of government and review of structures of responsibility.”

WOMEN LEADERS

The MCAs and senators will also discuss accountability and legislative oversight, the role of the senate in relation to representing and protecting the interests of counties, effective legislative committees and public participation to entrench representative and participatory democracy.

Sustainable development goals, and matters of equality and equal opportunities will also feature at the event.

Senators have in the past been accused of taking over MCAs’ oversight roles.

On Monday there will be a women legislators' session that will evaluate Kenya’s strides towards gender inclusivity in political and decision making process.