The Way I See It: Part One

I am doing this for two reasons. One, in the meantime it is a meaningful way of contributing to my county. Secondly, my profession calls me to be the leader of public opinions and to stir debate which propels society.

Having said that, I hope this will invoke debate. I have been perusing the County Governments Bill, 2012 and the Transition to Devolved Governments Bill, 2012. These bills mean a lot to the County Governments we will be having. They are aimed at giving effect to Chapter 11 of the Constitution, provide for county governments’ powers, functions and responsibilities.

This will apply to all counties but allow me to give its implications on the West Pokot County.

The Governor, going by Clause 31 of the County Governments Bill 2012, will be the ‘president’ of the county. I will list them here:

i)             To diligently execute the functions and exercise authority provided for in the constitution and legislation;

ii)           To perform such state functions within the county as the president may determine;

iii)         To represent the county in national  and international fora and events;

iv)          To constitute the county executive committee portfolio structure to respond to the functions and competencies assigned to and transferred to each county

v)            To submit the county plans and policies to the county assembly for approval;

vi)          To consider, approve and assent to bills passed by the county assembly;

vii)        Chair meetings of the county executive committee;

viii)       Assign to every member of the county executive committee responsibility;

ix)          Submit to the county assembly an annual report on the implementation status of the county policies and plans;

x)            Deliver annual state of the county address;

xi)          Subject to the operational command structures set out in the Police Service Act or any other national security legislation, chair the county equivalent of the national security council as provided for in Article 239 (5) of the Constitution; and

xii)        Sign or designate a county public officer to sign county Gazette notices, unless county legislation provides otherwise

With these immense duties the office will demand, I think it would be prudent for us to interrogate who will be our Governor. The qualities we will be looking for will oscillate around the ability of the candidate being versatile, humble to understand the monstrosity of his/her role and being able to inspire confidence and propel development. I hold the view that the office of the governor, together with his/her team in the county executive committee, is the key to the development of the county. But so pervasive has Senator/ Governor debate been that we have been blinded by these facts. I hope and pray that we will interrogate these matters clearly. For instance, who will be the Governor? (I am sorry, but I am not so jittery about the office of the senate; the development of the county rests on whether we will get our math right in electing the right candidate in the office of the Governor, the rest is politics) Will the Governor be able to constitute the right county executive committee? What development track record will the candidate be proud of? What of his/ her character? Will it be above reproach? What will be the company the candidate entertains? (because these will be men and women he/she will appoint in the executive committee) By way of example, will they follow the spirit of Clause 35 (g) and (h) of the County Governments Bill, 2012, that is, promoting social and economic development within the county while ensuring equitable sharing of available resources throughout the county?

There are no clear-cut answers. Let us think about these issues honestly and objectively.

Thank you for your time.