From: joachim omolo ouko
Sunday, April 6, 2014

Today is the fifth Sunday of Lent, the last week of Lenten Campaign 2014. The theme is similar to last week: Constitution and people’s participation in devolved governance. Despite the fact that the village of Bidii had worked hard to have new laws that would introduce better governance systems, this was not.

The leaders ignored the people in decision-making processes and came up with projects that were not for the common interest of the people. The leaders prioritised projects that benefitted them. The people’s standard of living was low because of poor roads, poor health facilities and services, poor education facilities and services, lack of supply of clean water and sanitation.

This raised concern from the people about their government’s performance and prioritization. There has been very little, if any, public participation in constitution implementation. For example, most of the laws that have been enacted by parliament since the promulgation of the Constitution have been rushed, leaving very little room for citizens to participate. The result has been laws that contradict the spirit of the Constitution.

To avert all these social ills, the devolution rules and systems thus need to be properly designed and implemented. There is need for Citizens to master how devolution works. This will enable them develop mechanisms to demand for service delivery, get involved in county businesses and hold their government to account.

The objective of 47 County Governments are to oversee the following functions within their area of jurisdiction:

1. Agriculture (crop and animal husbandry).

2. Fisheries.

3. County health services.

4. Cultural activities.

5. Public entertainment and public amenities.

6. County transport.

7. Trade development and regulation.

8. County planning and development.

9. Pre-primary education, village polytechnics, home craft centres and childcare facilities.

10. Implementation of specific national government

11. Policies on natural resources and environmental conservation

12. County public works and services

This brings us to action questions:

1. As citizens, what role can we play to ensure proactive and meaningful public participation in governance processes at both national and county government levels?

2. How has government and public institutions been involving you in their work in your locality?

3. What do you think are the pre-conditions for effective citizen participation?

4. What are the benefits of participating in your governance processes?

The key note message to the Governors and members of the County Assembly in Kwale by the Constitution Implementation Commission Charles Nyachae adds further challenge:

1. Why did we opt for the system of devolved governance?

2. What are the lessons learned from the 50 years of the type of governance systems that we were subjected to?

3. What is our vision for our counties and what have we accomplished so far as we implement the system of devolved government?

4. What must we do to keep on the track for the implementation of the system of devolved government and the constitution of Kenya 2010?

The constitution of Kenya 2010 seeks to correct this, to ensure equitable sharing of national and local resources throughout Kenya; to facilitate the decentralisation of state organs, their functions and services, from the capital of Kenya; and to enhance checks and balances and the separation of powers.

Today’s first reading is taken from Ezekiel 37:12-14, second reading from St Paul’s letter to the Romans 8:8-11 and the Gospel from John 11:1-45. The Gospel talks of ill man, Lazarus from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. The man Jesus rose from death.

Fr Joachim Omolo Ouko, AJ
Tel +254 7350 14559/+254 722 623 578
E-mail obolobeste@gmail.com

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