The current intergovernmental relationship between the counties and the national government has greatly improved hence promoting realization of the country’s development agenda, Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) Principal Secretary Micah Powon has observed.
Speaking during the West Pokot County Fourth Medium Term (MTP) Consultation Forum held at Horizon Resort in Kapenguria Town, Powon stated that the second phase of devolution has seen good working relationships between the two governments hence improved service delivery.
“During the 2013 to 2017 period, there was a bit of acrimony between the county governments and the national government and the working relationship was not as cordial as it is currently. As time goes by, we have been able to experience strengthened relationships,” stated the PS.
He termed the relationship as being at its best hence some development projects have been implemented jointly.
The PS called for various state and non-state partners to collaborate so as to facilitate development across the country noting that wananchi expect improved lifestyles irrespective of which government ensures its realization.
At the same time, Powon has expressed the national government’s commitment to ensure completion of development projects under the Kenya Vision 2030 despite the coming change in leadership after the August 2022 polls.
“We do have various projects across the counties which are partly complete but we are fast tracking the process to ensure they are completed. We have taken stock of all the projects that will not have been completed by both the national and the county governments,” he noted.
The PS maintained that governments are perpetual hence those projects that will not have been completed will be handed over seamlessly to the next administrations.
Powon said there were some projects done in partnership between the county, national and foreign partners set to be completed before this financial year and will be handed over to the respective county governments.
“We have several major roads crisscrossing in West Pokot County and other parts of the country that are already completed and they will be handed over officially,” said Powon.
He said the Lelan Highland Dairies milk processing plant in Pokot South Sub County, which was sponsored by the National Drought Management Authority with support from the European Union (EU), will be completed before the end of April this year before being handed over to the county government.
Meanwhile, stakeholders at the forum observed that endless politicking might have delayed the implementation of some of the projects earmarked in the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) of 2018-2022.
They suggested that allocation to counties should be scaled up and funds disbursed in time for effective implementation of priority projects in the counties.
By Richard Muhambe
