Devolution CS Eugene Wamalwa has urged Kenyans to support the BBI report, saying devolution and development in the Counties will get the best recognition. “Some people were saying the BBI report benefits only a section of leaders and isn’t a good fit for the common mwananchi, that’s propaganda. There are many reasons to support the BBI report, money will not only come to the County, but down to the wards,” he said.
The CS, who was speaking to West FM, said the fruits of accessing funds at the grassroots level were clearly seen when he was Saboti MP, “When I took over, we only had 36 secondary schools but after my term the number of secondary schools had doubled and had a school in every area,” he stated, “CDF was a kind of advanced devolution before the devolved units, and as we celebrate the introduction of devolution in the 2010 constitution, the BBI will allow Counties to receive even more money.
He dispelled fears surrounding the expanded executive, saying the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister positions will allow for power sharing among leaders. He said the PM position shouldn’t be contentious, citing that neighbouring nation s have Prime Minsters, “Why not Kenya? What is the problem of having a Prime Minister and deputies?” he posed. He added that having Ministers from the National Assembly will also help to improve accountability, “We want Ministers to be answerable in Parliament, at the moment, CSs just appear before committees.”
