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Devolution focus: Eye on counties and Council of Governors

Governor Simba Arati alleged plot to poison him, Kiambu banned chill and park events.

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by FELIX KIPKEMOI

News16 December 2023 - 16:30
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In Summary


  • Mombasa County Commissioner Abdirisack Jaldesa assured both locals and tourists that the county was safe during this busy month of December festivities.
  •  
Kirinyaga Governor and Council of Governors chair Anne Waiguru dances with residents during Jamhuri Day celebrations on December 12, 2023.

The highlight of the week was the Jamhuri Day celebrations that saw governors from each of the 47 counties lead residents in observing the day.

The day is celebrated on December 12 each year when Kenya became an independent country, six months after gaining internal self-rule on June 1, 1963 from Britain. 

The county bosses also used the occasion to address issues facing their people in the devolved units.

Here are the other major occurrences that made headlines across the counties this week.

Kiambu

County commissioner Joshua Nkanatha on Tuesday banned 'park and chill' events which have seen young Kenyans throng tea plantations around Kiambu County to make merry.

Nkanatha said they have started a crackdown and security personnel are arresting those engaging in roadside partying.

He argued that the events have seen young people engage in alcoholism and drugs.

Nkanatha made the announcement during Jamhuri Day celebrations held at Kirigiti International Stadium.

West Pokot

Governor Simon Kachapin announced plans to upgrade health facilities in the county.

He also disclosed that the county will establish a cancer centre at the Kapenguria County Referral Hospital to save cancer patients from spending a lot to seek services elsewhere outside the county,

He noted that health is critical for any development to take place and called for collaboration from all stakeholders to ensure residents enjoy universal healthcare.

Kachapin spoke when he commissioned Lelmolo dispensary, Kamketo maternity wing, Opol dispensary, and Chepolion dispensary.

Mombasa

County Commissioner Abdirisack Jaldesa assured both locals and tourists that the county was safe during this busy month of December festivities.

Speaking at Mwahima grounds in Likoni, Jaldesa expressed commitment to ensuring the safety of Mombasa residents and tourists.

He urged everyone to explore Mombasa without fear, assuring the presence of security teams during the festive season.

Kwale

Governor Fatuma Achani faulted security agencies for failing to end illicit drugs business in the county.

Achani said drugs in the region are circulating and continuing to destroy the lives of young people, yet security agencies are reluctant. 

She said the county has put more efforts into tackling the menace of drugs, but drug barons walk scot-free as the lives of many youth get ruined.

Garissa

During the Jamhuri day celebrations in Garissa Town, Governor Nathif Jama called out area MPs for questioning the performance of his administration and its development projects.

Jama said the MPs have not done anything for the citizens and thus lacked the moral authority to question him.

His sentiment followed a remark by Garissa Township MP Mohamed Dekow.

Dekow who spoke in Garissa town when he launched NHIF medical cover for 1,000 elderly people in his constituency, said that the 15 per cent of the counties’ national share is based on the devolved functions and that the national government has the biggest functions including education, security, foreign affairs and other functions which require more funding.

Wajir

It was a historic moment in Wajir town on Tuesday when Governor Ahmed Abdullahi issued title deeds to 200 residents during the Jamhuri Day celebrations.

Governor Abdullahi said that his administration was processing a total of 10,000 title deeds to give the residents. 

Embu

Trade Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano presided over the ground-breaking and laying of a foundation stone for the Embu County Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIP) at Machang’a in Mavuria ward in Mbeere South.

“This project will improve both social and economic livelihoods of the people of the county of Embu. It will give the solution to the unemployment problem and provide market for your produce,” she said.

Machakos

Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi was selected for the African Public Service Optimum Awards (APSO).

In a confirmation letter on November 16, APSO said Mwangangi would be awarded following his immense contribution to the public sector.

The award is scheduled for December 15 in Ghana at the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel.

It is designed for high-caliber professionals of public institutions, agencies and state-owned enterprises.

Kirinyaga

The county stepped up measures to eradicate black carpet beetles that are giving residents in certain areas of the devolved unit sleepless nights.

The areas most infested by the insects include Mukinduri, Kagumo and Kerugoya in Kirinyaga Central.

Medical services CEC George Karoki said though the beetles pose no physical harm to individuals, the infestation has been a nuisance to residents.

Karoki said a team of public health officials have sprayed homesteads and business premises with pesticides to reduce the damage being caused by the beetles.

Baringo

Governor Benjamin Cheboi played host to President William Ruto and his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua during the ninth edition of the  Kimalel Goat Auction.

The two-day event which started on Wednesday at the Kimalel grounds in Baringo South, had been suspended for two years in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The theme for this year's event was 'Harmony and Heritage' to celebrate unity and diversity.

Kakamega

Kakamega MCAs on Thursday night impeached four members of County Public Service Board on grounds of violation of the Constitution and breach of statute law, gross misconduct, abuse of office and incompetence.

They are chairperson Catherine Omweno and members Stanley Were, Ralph Wangatia and Joel Omukoko.

Seventy six MCAs voted to remove Omweno while seven opposed her removal.

The MCAs voted 71 against 12 and 75 against eight to impeach Were and Wangatia respectively. A total of 74 MCAs voted to send Omukoko home against nine who objected.

Kisii

Governor Simba Arati claimed Wednesday there is a plot by his detractors to poison him.

He accused some forces uncomfortable with his style of leadership of wanting to see him dead.

He also said the plot to kill him was because he had sealed loopholes of graft.

He was speaking at Nyabisia Primary in Bobasi, Masige East during an initiation ceremony funded by area Ward Rep Jacob Bagaka.

COG

On Monday, the COG convened a consultative meeting with the Chief Officers in charge of tourism and wildlife to apprise them on the sector's progress, challenges and opportunities.

The meeting was also attended by officials from the Tourism ministry, reps from the Kenya Tourism Board, Tourism Regulatory Authority Tourism Fund and IGRTC and and Wanderlust Diaries.

The discussions at the meeting identified several critical priorities for the sector including: Product Development and Marketing Strategies, diversification of Products and Source Markets, Establishment of Tourism Information Centers among others.

On Wednesday, Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika who is also the Trade and Investment committee chair joined President William Ruto and other guests during the opening ceremony of the Kenya Diaspora Investment Conference 2023 at KICC.

Kihika called upon the Diaspora community to invest back in the country and specifically in the counties.

She further urged Diaspora investors to capitalise on the opportunities available across counties, including investing in the industrial parks, agri-business, housing, health and mining among others.

On the same day, Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga who doubles up as the vice chair of Agriculture and Livestock committee officiated the opening of the CECs Agriculture workshop at FK resort in Nyeri.

The theme of the workshop is 'investing in inter-county peer learning as a means of institutional reforms'.

Kahiga encouraged the CECMs present to collaborate with their respective Governors in fulfilling their designated responsibilities as well as achieving the food security agenda of the Government.

On Thursday, the COG secretariat led by CEO Mary Mwiti undertook a CSR activity at Lari Police station and Kijabe hospital.

This is in appreciation of the critical role played in assisting the CoG secretariat staff who was in the accident while in the line of duty.

On Friday, COG chair Anne Waiguru chaired an Extra Ordinary Council meeting to review critical status and transition reports ahead of the upcoming 10th Summit meeting to be held on Monday.

Issues are MES programme, Division of revenue allocation for FY 24/25, Disbursement of Conditional grants and Unbundling and delineation of functions of national and counties and Road Maintenance Levy Fund.

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