- The committee said leaders in counties rarely sit down together to discuss development.
- Kajwang' said the County Leadership Forum will allow the elected leaders to properly plan for the benefit of county residents.
Leaders are duplicating projects in counties due to unnecessary competition, a Senate committee has said.
The Senate Public Accounts and Investments Committee said leaders in counties rarely sit down to discuss development.
“Whenever there is a meeting of the political leaders in a county, know that the governor, who is the one who usually calls such meetings, is seeking favours somewhere,” Committee chairman Moses Kajwang’.
Speaking to the Star on phone on Wednesday, the Homa Bay senator he had drafted a legislative proposal that will establish a County Leaders Forum.
“The forum brings together the governor, senator, the woman representative, MPs and MCAs. It's our duty is to sit down and discuss issues where leaders can collaborate,” Kajwang’ said.
The leaders currently have different kitties which they oversee. The MPs have the CDF, the woman reps have the National Assembly Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) and the governors county revenue.
MCAs also have the Ward Development Fund.
“All these are supposed to work together, but they seem to be working in competition. The governor issues bursaries, the MP issues bursaries and the woman rep issues bursaries. They are all building the same things - markets, toilets, supporting schools. There is too much duplication of duties,” Kajwang’ said.
He said the County Leadership Forum will allow the elected leaders to properly plan for the benefit of county residents.
The forum will also provide an opportunity for the Senators to get the views of the counties before they go into the budget exercise.
“Like we have said, counties should get more money. But where is that instruction coming from? It needs to come from a formal forum.”