Devolution Focus: Eye on counties, Council of Governors

In a week marked by insufficient rainfall in some counties and contrasting flood-related challenges in others, fatalities persist in areas where rivers have overflowed.

On Monday, the Kenya Red Cross (KRC) reported that residents of Voi Town were stranded due to rising water levels following the overflow of Voi River, resulting in four reported deaths.

This marks the third river in Taita Taveta County to breach its banks, triggering substantial floods and displacing hundreds.

Notably, this incident occurred less than a month after rivers Ruvu and Njoro similarly overflowed due to intense rainfall.

As of November 26, over 400 families were displaced after their houses were submerged 

Some 160 Kenyans have so far been confirmed dead.

In an update on Tuesday, Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura said one person was reported dead in Kilifi, three in Taita Taveta, one in Narok and one in Homa Bay.

He said so far, at least 529,120 people from 105,824 households have also been displaced as a result of flooding.

Here are the other major events that happened across the counties this week.

Kwale

The week saw Governor Fatuma Achani warn corrupt ward administrators against "selling" school bursaries under the Elimu Ni Sasa Initiative.

The bursary programme was initiated in 2014 to support bright but needy students and improve the county’s literacy level.

She said there are complaints that some people force poor residents to buy the bursaries which are meant to be free to help needy students pursue their education.

Lamu

Health Cabinet Secretary Susan Nakhumicha toured the county and expressed confidence in the efforts made to mitigate cholera outbreak in the region.

The outbreak has so far claimed three lives in the county since it was declared on November 5, 2023, more than 63 cases were confirmed and isolated for specialised treatment at the King Fahd Hospital.

The outbreak has seen 113 cumulative cases in Kashmir and India areas.

Narok

In his second State of County address at the County Assembly, Governor Patrick Ntutu confirmed the progress in revitalizing the health sector.

This initiative aims to ensure residents have ongoing access to a comprehensive range of quality healthcare services through Universal Health Coverage (UHC).

The county boss highlighted achievements, including a threefold increase in the budget for essential medicine and medical supplies, rising from Sh120 million to Sh360 million annually.

Kilifi

During the week, medical workers issued a 10-day strike notice to the county, citing grievances related to inadequate remuneration and promotions.

Over 100 doctors employed across various hospitals and health facilities within the county set a deadline of December 18 for the county to address their concerns.

Niko Gichana, the Kenya Medical Practitioners, and Dentists’ Union (KMPDU) Coast region chairman, stated that despite ongoing engagement with the County administration, there has been no resolution to their issues

West Pokot

School children in the county got a reason to smile after the government announced plans to begin rehabilitation of schools abandoned due to bandit attacks.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki said Wednesday that works on the affected schools will start on Thursday to make them ready for reopening in January 2024.

“Rehabilitation of schools that were vandalised by bandits will start Thursday. By the end of December, schools should be ready to receive students back,” he said.

The CS highlighted that the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and National Youth Service (NYS) will be on site to rehabilitate the schools.

Kakamega

On Wednesday, the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Union (KMPDU) called off a strike that was set to begin on December 10.

This followed a daylong meeting between KMPDU Western officials and Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa.

Barasa said a channel of communication has been opened to resolve issues in the health sector.

Branch secretary Sande Charo said the county went to the negotiating table ready to address issues affecting the sector.

Kisumu

The county played host to the CECAFA u-18 football championship.

The games started November 25 and ended December 8.

The tournament was played at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium with Governor Anyang Nyong'o and Sports Cabinet Secretary, Ababu Namwamba among other CECAFA governing Council officials including those from the Football Kenya Federation gracing the event.

COG

On Monday, the Chairperson of the Trade and Industry Committee Susan Kihika, led a consultative meeting between the state department for MSMEs and chief officers from all 47 counties.

The discussions focused on enhancing market exposure to support SMEs by organizing expos and improving infrastructure, including the construction of markets and CAIPs.

Kihika advocated for the automation of government services, such as the registration and licensing of businesses, to enhance revenue collection, increase efficiency, and ensure transparency.

She also called for a review of PPP regulations to facilitate business in Kenya and encourage public-private partnerships.

Additionally, on Friday, a consultative meeting on the blue economy was held in Machakos.

Stakeholders present in the meeting resolved to set up an intergovernmental framework in the sector, capacity building for officials and communities in the blue economy value chain, and co-creation of investment proposals with the state department.

During the same day, Commission of Revenue Allocation (CRA) presented the vertical revenue sharing for the FY 2024-25 to the COG.

COG Finance chair Fernandes Barasa presented its proposals which included proposals on RMLF, sharing of benefits from natural resources, transfer of resources for the museums and libraries functions among others.

During the meeting, CRA committed to consider the council’s submission and respond before its finalization.