“The governors did not recognize the role of Transition Authority in the devolution process and went ahead to demand that all the functions to be surrendered to them. But they are now realising their mistake and we hope we will soon overcome the teething problems.”
“In response to the clamor for immediate transfer of the functions, the National and County Governments Co-ordinating Summit decided to transfer all the functions despite the constitutional and legal provisions that functions should be transferred to county governments in a phased and asymmetrical manner that ensures that there is the necessary capacity to perform a function once transferred,” TA said in its progress report. However, the authority says it is putting systems in place to empower counties to ensure they discharge their mandate as stipulated in the Constitution. “TA will continue to facilitate and coordinate capacity building of the national and county governments. It is instructive to note that National Government has a constitutional mandate to build the capacities of the counties and TA functions is to facilitate and coordinate these during the transition period,” reads the report. (Read full report on pages 16, 17 & 18) In addition, TA says human resource managers and payroll managers were deployed to support the establishment of county human resource management portfolio and payroll to ensure county employees are paid on time. The endless bickering over sharing of resources forced Deputy PresiPresident Uhuru Kenyatta with devolution cabinet secretary Anne Waiguru.
Deputy President William Ruto chairs meeting with Jubilee Governors.
dent William Ruto to meet governors, during which a deal was struck to forestall a referendum that could undermine the country’s unity. The compromise, Mr. Ruto said, TA will identify and gazette functions that will be to counties with capacity to undertake them. While governors want resources and functions devolved to the counties as President Uhuru Kenyatta had directed earlier, the national government says some projects under implementation cannot be transferred overnight. Medical professionals have already warned plans to transfer payment of their salaries and allowances to counties, saying the new system still lacks capacity to handle crucial duties. Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union Secretary General Dr. Sultani Matendechere warned of a major crisis in the health sector should the county government take over payment of their salaries and allowances. Transport and Infrastructure Cabinet Secretary Micheal Kamau also told the media that construction of roads whose contracts had already been signed with contractors could not be transferred to county govern without following what he termed as “lengthy procedure.” Mr. Kamau says some demands by governors need time to be fully im-
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