Pay attention to skills if devolving

For a long time, there have been cries of unbalanced implementation of the development agenda of the government, especially at the hearings of the constitutional making.

Devolution as proposed in the draft Constitution implies power and resources getting decentralised to regions or counties.

The proposed structure of devolution, thus, would deviate from the current system where resources are collected across the nation into one basket before distribution.

Devolution prescribes that part of political and economic decision making is transferred to the people through local assemblies.

Although devolved structure implies decentralised functions of government and decision-making, it, however, does not preclude the existence of a national government that oversees the national agenda.

The devolved units will adopt policies that are in line with the national guidelines.

Three-tier government

The draft proposes a three-tier devolved government on the basis of geographical spread, underlying diversities, the need for local communities to manage own affairs and to form networks and associations for growth of their regions.

The devolved structure is likely to be expensive to implement given the human and financial resources required, among others.

Nevertheless, there are advantages wherein people get an opportunity to manage their own affairs and map out priorities better than the central government on their behalf.

To support the devolved structure, we propose that Kenya embrace good governance practices at all levels.

There is a lot of untapped potential in the country.

Taxation, for instance, registers a penetration level of about 50-60 per cent of the population with ability to pay.

The revenue authority proposed should, therefore, endeavour to widen its tax net to bring on board all the potential taxpayers to help in funding the services.

We also need to stem corruption through which we lose hundreds of billions of shillings to support the devolved systems.