The issue of participation power not being harmonised with decision power, is a contentious one. CSOs have been made to believe that their say in pre-budget workshops will be considered. These organisations go ahead to organise workshops, invite the Finance minister and table their painfully prepared position papers. On the budget day, they are glued in front of their TV sets anxious to hear and witness how their proposals will impact on national development. To their utter horror, nothing appears or at best, they are SLAPPED with the shameful percentages that Rwakakamba is talking about.
I am closely monitoring the incident where one fire-spitting gentleman has been rewarded with a ministerial post of justice ministry but is not confident enough to swear in or tell his boss that it's a task which his aggressiveness won't address.
"Aggrey Atuhaire"
RE: Keriako Tobiko: The Battle Rages
It is indeed betrayal of the highest order, for our political class to bring the tribal card in matters such these. It is not about, Tobiko the Maasai, Turkana or Kamba. It is about Tobiko the Kenyan DPP. Days of political handpicking are way behind us and those still dreaming of them need to wake up from the land of our ancestors.....
"Joseph Longole"
RE: Grand Free Trade Area to Unleash Africa’s Potential.
For Africa the stakes are clear: It's unity or perish! Had we only listened to Nkrumah!
"Michael Williams"
RE: Kenya Devolution: A Critique
Hi David, Many thanks for your contribution.
Devolution: Your Critique of the Task Force Draft Report is in agreement with views of most civil society members in Kenya. However, Article 176 (1) and Article 176 (2) contained in the new constitution of Kenya support the emphasis of County Assemblies rather than councils and municipalities. We have experienced quite a number of problems with the previous Local Government set up and perhaps retaining them might perpetuate their past corrupt practices and impunity in the use of tax payers funds. The constitution is also not quite clear on their fate.
Representation: It is true that people should elect their leaders. The problem has been the quality and delivery capacity of those elected. A lot of civic education must be carried out to ensure suitable people are elected to represent the masses.
Other Comments:
a) Most people’s major concern is the challenges of change management during the implementation of devolution of governance to counties under the new constitutional framework.
b) Burugu, J.N., (2010, pp. 158-159), argues that there would be great confusion after elections and county offices are established. The questions of how to accommodate diverse ethnic interests in the county, achievement of an ethnic balance in sharing top leadership; clear understanding of devolution as envisaged by the constitution; etc.
c) There are fears that people charged with the responsibility of initiating the transition will start claiming that they do not have sufficient time, they lack appropriate support, some provisions are irrelevant, and some may not even “walk the talk.”
d) Sustenance of the transition is also likely to be frustrated because of fear and anxiety, lack of mechanisms to evaluate and measure realization of the intended objective of the devolution, and differentiation of “believers” and “non-believers.”
e) The challenge of re-thinking and redesigning the whole intention of the devolution with regard to good governance, diffusion of the old and new approaches; might also crop up in the process of implementation of the change and create serious bottlenecks in realizing the dream.
Mohammed Khayundi.
