Governors can now heave a sigh of relief following the launch of a program that will see all functions assigned to the counties but held by the national government fully transferred.
The long-standing tussle between the county bosses and the national government has dragged on for over 10 years.
Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee (IGRTC) says it developed a comprehensive framework that will address deployment plans covering budget resources, staff, systems, facilities, equipment and machinery among others.
Agency’s chairman Kithinji Kiragu said within the next two months, clarity and agreement among stakeholders on the specific functions to be transferred in the 2023-24 financial year will be agreed on.
“Through the program, gaps in the capacities of counties, policies and laws to be amended or repealed for optimal functioning of ministries, departments and counties will also be identified,” said Kiragu.
He spoke during an event on Wednesday that brought together a Multi-agency Technical Task Teams (MTTA) from ministries, departments, agencies (MDAs), state corporations, CRA, Kenya law reforms, Controller of budget, SRC and PSC.
Kiragu also used the opportunity to assure the employees working in the national government that they will not lose their jobs as a result of the transition.
“It is important to note that the transfer of functions will not result in any job loss, the staff will instead move with their functions and with all their current and future benefits,” he emphasised.
During a COG meeting in Mombasa last September, President William Ruto directed the Ministry of Devolution to fast-track the transfer of all devolved functions to counties.
Ruto said one major area of dissatisfaction in the counties is the delay in transferring all the devolved functions.
“We are committed to the complete transfer of all functions constitutionally earmarked for the counties. I therefore, want to direct the Ministry of Devolution to complete the process of unbundling all these functions and the National Treasury to avail the necessary funds to complete the exercise,” Ruto said in a statement read by Speaker Moses Wetangula.
The Head of State also said he is aware that the valuation and transfer of assets and liabilities relating to the devolved functions have not been completed due to insufficient funds.
“I am therefore directing the National Treasury to provide sufficient funds for this task to the Ministry of Devolution to ensure that the exercise is completed,” he said.
In a speech read on his behalf by IGRTC director Patrick Karanja, Deputy President expressed his support towards ensuring the conclusion of the process.
Governors have been rooting for the “big bang” approach used in the first phase of the transfer of functions spearheaded by the defunct Transition Authority.
