Regional development authorities have been urged to develop a working framework between them, the national and county governments, and other partners.
Speaking in Mombasa during a familiarisation tour of the Coast Development Authority, EAC, ASALs and Regional Development CS Peninah Malonza said the government is working on a policy to implement the framework.
She said the Regional Development Authorities Bill 2023, is with Cabinet after public participation last November.
The Bill, once in place, will harmonise and create participatory space for county and national governments, and development partners.
“One of the things that we are working on is to harmonise and bring along the whole agenda of the participation of the counties, because as you know, the RDAs are actually within particular segments, cutting across a number of counties,” Malonza said.
“As you've heard, this one [CDA] is cutting across seven counties.”
Kenya has six regional development authorities. They are the Coast Development Authority, Tana and Athi Rivers Development Authority and Kerio Valley Development Authority.
Others are Lake Basin Development Authority, Ewaso Ng’iro South Development Authority and Ewaso Ng’iro North Development Authority.
Malonza said the RDAs have continued to play a pivotal role in implementing programmes geared towards uplifting the economy and the lives of Kenyans.
“We are still working on some of them. Currently, we are working on the post-drought or what you're calling the drought mitigation programmes,” Malonza said.
The authorities, however, continue to face financial and understaffing challenges, which affect services.
The CS, however, stated that these will be addressed once the Bill is in place.
“Yes, it's true that sometimes they receive low funding, and that's why we're coming up with a policy," she said.
"The policy will look into resource mobilisation strategies so they will not only be waiting upon the government, but they will have their own ways of working collaboratively with other stakeholders.”
The Senate Budget team had raised issues with the persistent cutting of budgetary allocations to RDAs, which they said hampers their agenda.
Malonza said most RDAs have been doing good work at the grassroots, but due to a lack of visibility, they have been suffering budgetary cuts.
“One of the things we have suggested is that there is a communication strategy that needs to come out so that we understand what gap they are filling and whether they are within the mandate they were positioned for,” the CS said.
On staffing, Malonza said the matter was being addressed and the ministry will soon give clearance for additional staff.
The CS was accompanied by her PS Harsama Kello, CDA chairman Mwinyi Mzee and other ministry officials.
