With the reading of the national budget in Parliament on Thursday, the stage is set for the beginning of the financial year 2023-24.
Debate on the budget statement now starts in earnest next week with focus on the details of what Treasury Cabinet Secretary Njuguna Ndung'u presented to the National Assembly, as well as the much talked about Finance Bill, 2023.
But while focus might be at the National Assembly, a bigger storm might be brewing at the counties. MCAs have threatened not to deliberate on and pass the various county budgets if a raft of demands they have made to the national government are not met. And it is very likely that the demands will not be met in time for the budget debate!
Speaking at the inaugural MCAs' only national conference in Nairobi last month, the ward reps resolved that they will not be doing their jobs, including debating and passing the respective budgets, if among others, the county assemblies are not granted financial autonomy to aid in effectiveness of execution of their legal mandate in accordance with applicable laws that define their mandate.
Justifiably, the MCAs argue that that it is not possible to oversight the governors yet it is the governors who pay them as the former’s signatures are required for the latter to receive their salaries.
The ward representatives also demanded that their salaries be enhanced from the current Sh86,000 to Sh390,270 per month so that they can be paid 40 per cent up from 16 per cent of the governors’ gross salaries of Sh924,000.
Had it not been for the current economic situation in the country, this also sounds a logical demand. But as it is, an argument for the governors’ salaries to be reduced to 60 percent of the MCAs sounds more realistic.
The MCAs also want the Salaries and Remuneration Commission needs to be compelled to reinstate their plenary allowances and Kenya Revenue Authority to be compelled to revoke, revert and refund 30 per cent tax levied on their car reimbursements.
But it is the demand for the establishment of the Ward Development Fund fully anchored in law at 40 per cent of the county development budget that did it for me.
There are so many benefits of the fund, not only for the MCAs but for Kenya, Kenyans and devolution.
Kenya's journey toward devolution has been a significant milestone in its governance structure, empowering local communities and fostering inclusive development.
To further enhance this progress, the establishment of a Ward Development Fund has emerged as a potential catalyst for positive change. By examining the fund's potential to empower local communities, promote equitable resource allocation and foster grassroots development, we see its potential to drive Kenya's progress.
One of the primary advantages of the fund is its ability to empower local communities in Kenya. By allocating resources directly to the ward level, the fund ensures that decision-making power is decentralised and transferred to those closest to the challenges and needs of their respective areas.
This empowerment enables communities to take charge of their own development priorities, leading to increased accountability and ownership over local projects.
Moreover, the fund encourages citizen participation and engagement in decision-making processes. It creates platforms for citizens to voice their opinions, actively contribute to development initiatives, and hold their local representatives accountable.
This participatory approach strengthens democratic principles, promotes civic engagement and enhances social cohesion within communities.
The fund also plays a crucial role in promoting equitable resource allocation across Kenya. Historically, some regions have faced marginalisation and disparities in the distribution of resources, hindering their development.
By establishing a fund specifically dedicated to each ward, resources can be allocated based on the unique needs and priorities of local communities, ensuring a fair and balanced distribution of resources.
The fund serves as a mechanism to address historical imbalances by providing equal opportunities for all wards to access development resources. It reduces the dependency on centralised decision-making, where resources might be disproportionately allocated based on political considerations.
With the Ward Development Fund, each ward has an opportunity to receive the necessary support for its development, leading to improved living standards, infrastructure, and social services.
The fund significantly contributes to grassroots development in Kenya. By channeling resources directly to the ward level, it enables communities to implement projects that directly address their specific needs.
Whether it is infrastructure development, healthcare facilities, education initiatives, or economic empowerment programs, the fund allows for tailored solutions that resonate with local contexts.
Furthermore, the fund enhances local entrepreneurship and economic growth. It enables individuals and groups within the community to access financing for business ventures, leading to the creation of job opportunities and improved livelihoods.
This localised economic development contributes to reducing poverty levels, promoting social stability, and driving overall national progress.
The fund also encourages innovation and creativity at the grassroots level. Communities gain the freedom to experiment with solutions to their unique challenges, fostering an environment that supports problem-solving and learning from localised experiences.
This bottom-up approach not only addresses immediate needs but also promotes sustainable development that takes into account the local environment, culture, and aspirations.
The establishment of fund in Kenya brings numerous benefits to the country and strengthens the devolution process. By empowering local communities, promoting equitable resource allocation, and fostering grassroots development, the fund ensures that decision-making power and development opportunities are brought closer to the people.
As Kenya continues to prioritise devolution as a key governance principle, the fund serves as a crucial tool to achieve inclusive growth, social cohesion, and sustainable development across all wards in the country.
Overall, other than the drama and noise exhibited during the May 3 meeting and the theatrics of chasing away Devolution Principal Secretary Teresia Mbaika, MCAs had a point or two.
Political commentator