On February 11, President William Ruto and the Council of Governors reached a resolution to resolve legal matters that have been affecting the administration. The president committed to promptly disbursing funds and transferring all pending devolved functions to the county governments.
Resolutions Made
- The Inter-governmental Technical Committee will expedite the transfer of pending devolved functions to the County Governments as quickly as possible
- The committee will also assess the impact of role overlap between county and national government staff on service delivery
- The national and county governments will work together to make sure functions are properly assigned
- The effects of socioeconomic behavior on service delivery in county governments will be reviewed
Governors Agree to Drop Cases
As part of the agreement, the governors have agreed to withdraw all pending cases against the government that are currently being heard in court. The forty-seven counties hold the potential for a fairer model of development through efficient service delivery and local governance, but overlapping functions have hindered growth and progress in these regions.
President Ruto’s Promise
President Ruto pledged to examine the areas where the national budget has increased in devolved function-holding ministries, such as the Ministries of Agriculture and Health. He acknowledged the change that devolution has brought and emphasized the importance of supporting county governments.
“It delays implementation and denies citizens their right to services, we must be united in our goals,” said President Ruto. “There is a noticeable transformation that has been achieved through devolution, and thus, we must support the county governments.”
9th National and County Coordinate Summit
The agreement was reached during the 9th National and County Coordinate Summit held at Enashipai Hotel in Naivasha, Nakuru County. President Ruto and the Council of Governors committed to working together for the betterment of the country and its people.
