Devolution could be crippled by lack of common understanding on its implementation and rival interpretation of laws guiding it, a Senators’ retreat heard.
Senate Speaker Ekwe Ethuro
The Senators were warned of a meticulous and multi-pronged conspiracy to sabotage devolution. Senate Speaker Ekwe Ethuro and Chairman of the Commission on the Implementation of the Constitution ( CIC) Charles Nyachae said the Senate, the National Assembly, the Executive and the county governments must read from the same script and take their right roles for devolution to work.
They said the State is implementing laws passed by the Tenth Parliament, which pose an unconstitutional threat to devolution and called for the Senate to play a central role in implementing devolved governments. Mr Ethuro said there were forces out to derail devolution and urged concerned institutions to come to its rescue.
“The devils to derail devolution are still out there. It is not a smooth ride,” he warned.
The two were addressing a two-day Senators’ retreat on the role of the Senate in implementing devolution, yesterday.
Ethuro said the Senate must protect and defenddevolution by ensuring checks and balances as well as separation of powers.
“It would be better if the Senate made annual assessment on the success and quality made towardsdevolution. Senate has a serious role in ensuringdevolution takes root,” he said. Mr Nyachae said CICwould also organise retreats for members of the National Assembly, County Executive, County assemblies, Executive and Governors before bringing all the players together to reach a consensus on implementing devolution. He said the commission faced a number of challenges, which if not addressed may haunt the devolved system of government.
Powers of devolution
They include a conspiracy by State agencies to claw away powers of devolved governments and reluctance to change the organisational culture.
“The various state organs should have the same interpretation of the Constitution and understanding of their mandate and that of other players for them to implement devolution,” Nyachae said.
Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) Chairman Micah Cheresem said for devolution to work, the Senate should serve as a catalyst and a bridge between the National Assembly and county governments.
“Senators should talk to Governors and county representatives to ensure issues are addressed through the right channels instead of boycotting sessions,” he said.
He urged the Senators to lobby the National Assembly and conduct civic education on devolution, adding they would be blamed for failure of the devolved system of government.
“If devolution fails, Senators will bear the greatest responsibility,” Cheserem warned.
Nyachae also warned of a serious problem if MPs do not back down on their demands for high salaries and continue with attempts to have the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) disbanded.
By Patrick Beja, The Standard
