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Governors on Tuesday listed improved healthcare, good roads and agriculture as some of the major successes of devolution. The leaders said devolution had made a positive mark in the lives of Kenyans two years since its inception, saying it had brought equitable distribution of resources. Speaking on the sidelines of the Devolution Conference at Tom Mboya Labour College in Kisumu, the county bosses said Kenyans can now access subsidised fertiliser, more than 7,000 kilometres of roads had been tarmacked and health care improved. The leaders cited a case in Mandera County, where a baby was delivered through Caesarean section, the first in the region, as a major plus. Council of Governors chairman Isaac Ruto cited lighting of various towns, equipping of ECD schools and polytechnics, mechanisation and modernisation of agriculture, provision of education bursaries and improvement of trade and partnerships with private sector as their other successes. Said the Bomet Governor: “We have opened up places and town that did not know development in the last 50 years. We have put a smile on the faces of millions of Kenyans and all of us should work to promote devolution.” Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma said service delivery has been efficient and beneficial to citizens because of devolution. “Devolution has been welcomed with high expectations as a way of erasing the socio-economic tribulations in one stroke,” he said. Mr Ranguma said revenue collection had improved in his county following the introduction of an electronic system.
RELEASE FUNDS
Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, who read the resolutions made during the first conference in Kwale County last year, said: “We hope the Treasury will stick to their deadlines of releasing funds to avoid delaying implementation of county projects.” For his part, Lamu Governor Issa Timamy said boundary disputes among counties is a threat to regional unity. “Counties are wasting a lot of money taking cases to court instead of using the alternative means to address them,” he said. Siaya Governor Cornel Rasanga accused the national government of not consulting counties before making key decisions. “They have been playing the big brother. The wrangles we hear of are because of poor consultation. For instance, the government entered a medical equipment contract for the counties without involving them,” he said. Wajir Governor Abdullahi Mohammed said the county government has been working hard to address basic needs of people in the region that was marginalised for decades. He said they had built and revived up to 37 hospitals. Kwale Governor Salim Mvurya asked the leaders to work together to promote intergovernmental relations. Kisii governor Evans Ongwae called for additional funding to the counties, saying the current allocation is too little. Meanwhile, US ambassador Robert Godec praised counties for engaging in public-private partnership, saying it had attracted a lot of donor funding, which was not possible before.

The Government descended on Kisumu with a bang Tuesday as the Second Devolution Conference got under way in Kenya’s third largest city. Opposition kingpins were not left behind. The lakeside city hosted the crème de la crème of the country’s political, commercial and diplomatic circles radiating with smiles. Ordinary Kenyans were also out in large numbers to witness the new face of Kisumu. The agenda on the table was that most polarising new governance structure that forms the grinding edge between the national and county governments: Devolution. The conference brought together clusters of leaders who have been squaring off in rallies over the level of powers and financial controls and which side should wield them. There was the President and his Executive team, the most conspicuous being Anne Waiguru, the Devolution Cabinet Secretary on the one hand, and the Opposition leaders who have been lobbying for a referendum to tame the Presidency and empower counties by funnelling of additional cash from the National Treasury. Of course, the outstanding face on the Opposition side was that of Coalition for Reforms and Democracy(CORD) leader Raila Odinga, who directly addressed the President on the need for withdrawal of the Kenya Defence Forces troops from Somalia and to crack down on rampant insecurity in the country. The President did not respond to Raila’s concerns, but trained his guns on another group in the room – governors – who have for the last two years had running battles with the Executive over issues of budgetary allocation and perceived extravagance and imprudence in the management of public funds. They too have come up with a parallel referendum initiative aimed at loosening the grip of the national government on the purse to ensure more funds go to the counties. Representing them was the Council of Governors Chairman Isaac Ruto, whose battle with the Executive has earned him a removal bid from his Bomet County Governor’s , the President had a strong message, “I am busy fighting corruption in the national government. I do not wish any governor to ever have that problem on their hands. Devolution is two years old now. Let’s make the people of Kenya proud by rejecting corruption and embracing integrity.” Also confronting the truth on devolution two years later were the Members of Parliament from both Houses, who have had their own run-ins with the governors and even among themselves – again most of these motivated by turf wars and the wish to claw more control on finances from the governors. Then there were the Members of County Assemblies, with whom the governors have had depressing relations as they pressurised the county chiefs for finances from the county kitty or face impeachment. The conference, which enters its second day today, with more than 3,000 participants, was indeed the meeting point for leaders who have had serious disagreements on devolution to come together at the moment of truth and confront the fact that it is an idea that has taken off, and there is no turning back. That was the story of Kisumu Tuesday as it too got an opportunity to shake off the ghosts of the 2007-2008 post-election violence, where businesses and lives were destroyed, and rise from the ashes to national glory.
The grand meeting could not have come at a better time for Kisumu, which is now reported to be witnessing a surge as a preferred investment destination. For the town, founded in 1901 as Port Florence or ‘Sumo’ (Dholuo for a place of barter trade), the opportunity to host the conference, the biggest ever in recent times, was a stamp of approval on her own revival. But it was also a lot more about the unfolding of a Kenyan story, marking progress in the Devolution Revolution. For after all, in last year’s first conference in Kwale, the Executive pulled out the Cabinet secretaries from attendance over another rant with the county units. Proud family Tuesday’s ceremony was markedly different, the mood buoyed by the cordiality between leaders symbolised by Uhuru, Raila and Isaac Ruto’s joint jig to an Orutu dance as the rest of the hall cheered, radiating the face of a Kenyan proud family finally united at the communion table, where only one menu was served; Devolution. In his address, President Kenyatta said, “I want to reassure everyone that my commitment and that of my Government to the success of devolution is absolute. We will not waver, hesitate or flinch when it comes to delivering it to our people.” See also: Ethuro wants full transfer of functions to counties “In 2013/2014, when my government assumed office, 32 per cent of national revenue was allocated to county governments. In 2014/2015, we allocated 43 per cent. This will cause profound economic transformation of our rural areas,” he added. Ads by Go HD 1.1 Ad Options Raila listed several achievements by county governments across the country, which he attributed to the devolved resources, saying the development strides should not be frustrated by “enemies of the system who want to satisfy their selfish interests”. “We are now looking at an economy that is firing on all cylinders. The transformation being noted in many counties in areas of education, health, agriculture, roads and general development must not be frustrated,” Raila said.

Kisumu was abuzz with activity Monday as it received hundreds of delegates who are attending the second annual national devolution conference, which will be opened Tuesday morning by President Uhuru Kenyatta. Event organisers registered those arriving for the event in which devolution stakeholders are expected to take stock of the progress made so far as they also confront challenges that have slowed down key aspects of the new system. The meeting will bring together dignitaries comprising, among others, governors, deputy governors, senators, MPs and members of the county assemblies (MCAs) from all 47 counties. The conference marks the second anniversary since the establishment of a devolved system of governance and provides an opportunity to take stock of successes and challenges in the devolved units. Security has already been beefed up ahead of the President’s arrival, with about 200 police officers deployed from the neighbouring counties to help their counterparts in Kisumu. “We have ensured every place – from the conference venue to the accommodation areas – is safe,” said Nyanza Regional Police Co-ordinator Willy Lugusa. “We are up to the task and all visitors are assured of their safety.” The police officers could be seen patrolling areas perceived to be security hotspots in town to curb any security breaches. The meeting will be closed officially by Deputy President William Ruto on Thursday. Thanks to the many visitors, there were traffic snarl-ups, a rare phenomenon in the lakeside town. “We are doing good business since yesterday evening (Sunday). The only problem is traffic congestion, which is limiting the number of trips we could be making to different destinations,” said taxi driver Wilson Omollo. The town is now ‘glittering’, after a major clean-up by 1,000 youths deployed by the county government. This was followed by decoration of major social places and busy streets. Western region chairman of the Kenya Association of Hotel keepers and Caterers William Orondo said that most hotels and guest houses were fully booked. Guests who had not booked their accommodation were forced to venture into towns neighbouring Kisumu, some going as far as Kakamega and Eldoret.

Food outlets were packed to capacity, with fish – the most popular dish in the town – registering high on the menu. Preparations for the event to be held at Tom Mboya Labour College were finalised Monday. Meanwhile, arriving delegates were accredited at Victoria Primary School. Governor Jack Ranguma, the host, said the conference comes with good tidings for Kisumu residents. “It is a great honour for Kisumu County to host the event since the other 46 counties would also have wanted to do so. Our people must seize the opportunity and provide the services our guests require,” Ranguma said. “By the end of the conference, it is estimated that local residents shall have benefited from around Sh1 billion that will be flowing in town.” Apart from benefiting from the financial windfall, the event is also significant for the residents because they will be hosting President Kenyatta for the first time since he became the Head of State.

Deputy President William Ruto has told off those plotting for his downfall that they will never succeed.
Ruto who is still facing charges with Radio journalist Joshoua arap Sang at the ICC said that Bomet governor Isaac Ruto, former Cherangany MP and political advisor to the President Joshua Kuttuny and son to former President Moi, Gideon Moi are scheming to have him jailed at the international based court.

The County goverment of Nandi will reconstruct Ariok primary school in Aldai sub county in honour of the late Erick Kipchirchir Kosgei, a victim of the recent Garissa attacks where 147 students were killed. Speaking today during the burial of the late Erick Kosgei at Ariok village, Nandi County governor HE Dr Cleophas Lagat condoled with the family and promised to upgrade Ariok primary school in his honour. The governor decried the deplorable state of the school and asked the area MP Hon Cornelius Serem to join hands in upgrading the school. The late Erick Kosgei began his studies at Ariok primary school and proceeded to Meteitei secondary before joining Moi University Garissa College where he made his untimely dead.He was a second year student pursuing Bachelor of Business Management. Leaders, comrades and friends praised the deceased as a heroe and a role model.Its reported that he was killed by terrorist while trying to rescue his colleagues. Moreover, governor Lagat has asked the National government to develop quick disaster response management.

His Excellency the Deputy president inspecting the county and exhibitor’s stands on this third and last day of Nandi Investment conference and exhibition,H.E the Deputy president landed at Nandi County Kapsabet showground shortly past 10:30 AM for the investment conference, upon arrival H.E was welcomed by the County governor, his deputy and other high profile leaders nationally

Local leaders want President Kenyatta to address falling maize prices, displacement of families and unemployment when he visits the county Friday.
Mr Kenyatta and Deputy President William Ruto are scheduled to open a three-day investors’ conference and exhibition in Kapsabet.
They will also issue over 20,000 title deeds to residents who have never owned the documents since independence.
County leaders want President Kenyatta to order for the issuance of title deeds to farmers in six sub-counties and to compensate victims of the 2008 post-election violence from the region.
Tinderet MP Julius Melly Thursday said he expects the President to help more than 50,000 people get title deeds.
Land officials have been in Tinderet for the past few weeks demarcating plots ahead of the President’s issuance of titles.
Mr Melly said the families spirited out of government-owned forests in 2006 remain unsettled and most were squatters on road reserves while their children had dropped out of school.
UNABLE TO GET LOANS
Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter said poverty remained high in the county because farmers were unable to get loans from banks because they lacked title deeds to use as security.
Pastor Daniel Maina, the co-ordinator of IDPs in Nandi Central Sub-County yesterday said the people evicted from forests and those displaced by clashes had suffered long enough. He claimed they had not been compensated like their counterparts in other counties.
“Victims of the 2008 violence from Nandi Central, Tinderet and Serengonik want the government to speed up their compensation to ensure their families are fully settled,” the pastor added. Families displaced from forests include members of Ndorobo and Ogiek communities.
“The families were evicted from the Tinderet forest 10 years ago and their children have since dropped out of school because their parents don’t have proper income,” said Mr Joshua Kuto, the chairman of the Ogiek forest evictees organisation.
They asked the government to provide mobile clinics to the affected families to reduce water-borne and communicable diseases.

Hon Zipporah Kering Member of the National Assembly (Women rep) for Nandi County addressing the guests and Exhibitors at Kapsabet showground during this first day of Nandi County Investment Conference and Exhibition,Hon Kering thanked God for the Event, she also thanked the County Government of Nandi under the leadership of H.E Dr Cleophas Lagat and his Deputy H.E Dominic Biwott for organizing the first ever Investment Conference and Exhibition, Hon Kering appealed all the investors to invest in Nandi County as the County present alot of potentials for investments, she also assured the investors of comfort and security in the county

Linah Chebii Kilimo, the chairperson of Anti-Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Board addressing the guests and Exhibitors at Kapsabet showground during this first day of Nandi County Investment Conference and Exhibition, Chebii highlighted the significance of women in Investment by justifying that, Development Investments are centered on human resource where women are vital in nurturing a wholistic development of human, Chebii also applauded the County Government of Nandi for being at forefront in fighting against Female circumcision, however she further appealed for absolute end to Female Genital Mutilation as the vice compromises female health during birth delivery. In conclusion Chebii appreciated H.E the Governor for the good leadership in his county

Kaptel warriors entertainers and Nandi County choir entertaining today’s guests during this first day of Nandi County Investment Conference and Exhibition.