President Uhuru Kenyatta has lauded the progress and achievements of devolution ever since it was instituted and has urged Governors to pursue a common goal of strengthening the stability of devolution in their respective Counties.
Speaking during the induction of the 2017-2022 Governors and Deputy Governors, he said it has also helped economic growth, “I believe devolution is working. We have turned every County into an important cog of the wheel of our collective aspirations,” he said, “Every County is now a fully fledged centre for economic development.”
He said devolution has led to many achievements that can be labelled as pioneer achievements, citing the enrolment of 10,000 new members into NHIF in Marsabit County as one of the examples.
He reiterated that devolution still remains the flagship project for the national and County governments, saying Kenyans expect results form the Governors, “Let me remind you that as today’s leadership, our people look upon us to liberate them from economic bondage. The journey to prosperity is long but we can’t grow weary and leave anyone behind,” he said, “Over the next five years we must strengthen and deepen devolution in ways that make a real difference for the lives of our people.”
President Kenyatta added that everything needed to make devolution and development success stories are available, including functional fiscal frameworks for sharing revenue, and good intergovernmental structures, between the national and County governments.