MY SPEECH DURING THE MERU & THARAKA NITHI PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON 13TH SEPTEMBER 2014 AT MERU UNIVERSITY Governor Peter Munya, Governor Meru Prof Erastus Njoka, Chairperson Meru Professionals Association Prof Japhet Magambo, Vice Chancellor Meru University of Science and Technology Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen I am pleased to join you today for this Annual Conference which brings together the professionals of Meru and Tharaka Nithi Counties. Your commitment and efforts, as professionals who have come together to harness your individual and collective competencies for the good of the greater Meru region, are commendable. I am encouraged to see professionals who are committed to harnessing their resources for the development of their region, fully aware that you are part of the solution you want to see. Ladies and Gentlemen, The subject of Devolution is a conversation that has pre-occupied our national psyche for the past year. As we come to terms with this whole transition process, as professionals and intellectuals, I think we need to step aside from the foray and reflect on what this truly means. The case for devolution is traditionally prosecuted on the ground that it brings public services closer to the people, who have more opportunities to participate actively in the decision-making processes of local policies, than in centrally decided ones. This participation in turn contributes to improved accountability and transparency, due to the fact that people can scrutinize devolved governance structures more closely than central governments. The services are also delivered more speedily than in the case of a centralized administration, since devolution reduces often lengthy bureaucratic procedures for decision making and implementation. The services then become more responsive, and are tailored for different needs of different localities. Accordingly, large bureaucracy at the centre can be reduced, and limited public resources are more efficiently and effectively utilized. Ladies and Gentlemen, Notwithstanding the many, and substantial, advantages and benefits of devolution, this model of governance does not come without some potential disadvantages or risks. It is therefore very important that there is a clear understanding of such risks, so that appropriate safeguards or preventive measures can be taken or put in place. Among such risks include the likelihood of inter-regional inequalities, which perpetuate intra-national poverty gaps and foster politically destabilizing forces. Since different counties are differently endowed in terms of natural resources, levels of economic activities, among others, some counties are likely to generate more revenue than others and afford their residents better quality services than is provided in poorer jurisdictions. The loss of central command on posting of staff means that in our case, a county-based market for skills has been created and the counties that offer better opportunities for people with these skills will benefit at the expense of others. ‘Better opportunities’ in this regard should be understood in the broadest sense to include openings for self-advancement, social and physical infrastructure, as well as recreational comforts. Devolution can bring higher risks of resource/power capture by local elites or special interest groups. Without adequate safeguards, there is a risk that powerful or well placed local elites may be able to capture the resources and powers conferred on county governments, and use these resources and powers for their own benefit /interest. In particular, there is a risk that the new minorities within Counties could be marginalised. Ladies and Gentlemen, Admittedly, Devolution represents a more complex form of governance. Creation of several levels of government brings complexities as to roles and functions, relationships, and revenue and power sharing. However ladies and gentlemen, the reason the Kenyan state adopted devolution as a system of government is not only located in abstract theory, but also in the reality of our history and politics. It is argued that a political system in which the winner-takes-all in a society where ethnic divisions are deeply embedded is inherently unstable. Under this scenario, elections do not always resolve deep-seated regional, ethnic, or religious differences and that therefore devolution provides a political mechanism for pre-empting and managing simmering conflicts. It is further contended that political reforms aimed at democratising Kenya needed a mechanism to smoothen the transition of the country from an undemocratic order to a more democratic one. Moreover, devolved governments provide a structured mechanism for including minorities in the broader tent of government. Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda, South Africa among others, have gone through this route to contain regional and ethnic differences through decentralised governments. Kenya therefore needed to turn to devolution to broaden political inclusion, smoothen the path of transition and mitigate against the winner-takes-all model. Under our devolved constitutional scheme for example, a minimum budgetary allocation is guaranteed to all counties irrespective of who won the political contest in those counties. Ladies and Gentlemen In essence, what Kenyans are seeking is a devolution that will deliver development. This is development that will open up investment opportunities, development that will improve human development outcomes, and development that will create jobs for our youth and increase income opportunities. It is a reality, that development is not a linear process. We should ask ourselves: What are the major factors that explain the recent growth of the Chinese economy and the relative decline of the United States economy? What explains persistent poverty in pockets of global cities such as New York, London and Tokyo, and what prompts the emergence of vast urban slums in Calcutta, Rio and others. Why do cities and regions develop and emerge in the pattern that they do? Economic geography tells us that key economic agents (such as firms, labour and the state) are driven by factors such as innovation, institutions and infrastructure in their investment and location decisions. This in turn influences territorial and spatial development. Industrial clusters for example do not emerge by chance, they are dependent on the availability of raw materials, skills, and complementary services. Closer home, the political devolution, should be accompanied by an economic devolution. Each devolved unit, or a combination of a number of devolved units, can determine where their sectoral comparative advantage lies and seek to build agglomeration economies in those sectors. This will require a conscious process of spatial and economic planning that ensures the right drivers are put in place that will attract the relevant agents. That location, distribution and spatial organization of economic activities, should be the pre-occupation of any professional. Ladies and Gentlemen The government is conscious, that as an enabler of development, it is incumbent upon us to ensure that we build an environment that fosters economic progress, encourages private investment, and facilitates all economic sectors to expand and thrive. As a government, we are faced with the dual responsibility of redistributing growth, and facilitating growth. The doing business environment, is therefore of critical importance to us. It is for this reason that one of the flagship projects of the national government is the Huduma Centres Programme that seeks to provide all public services under one roof. This is aimed at reducing the transaction costs associated with accessing critical government services. The Second Medium Plan 2013-2017, envisions to transform the economy and expand the industrial sector by focusing on export led growth strategies through the establishment of special economic zones, industrial clusters and SME’s Parks. Professionals will play a critical role in making this a reality. A critical factor towards making this a reality will be addressing the supply side constraints. Through the energy strategy, the government will increase the production capacity for electricity to 5,000MW. This will ensure that we have affordable energy that will drive our industrial development. This is being complemented by massive investment in logistical infrastructure. These include the standard gauge railway, improving the efficiency of the port, and improving the auxiliary road infrastructure. This will have spill-over effects throughout the economy. Ladies and Gentlemen, It is a logical fallacy that anyone, should imagine that this country can develop sustainably without the youth. The youth not only make up the single largest proportion of the population, but also represent our dreams and our hopes as a nation. Where those dreams and hopes are smothered in despair the entire nation falters. Creation of opportunities for the youth is therefore central to our national development agenda. This can no longer remain as empty rhetoric stated by all successive governments. This has to translate to tangible results that will uplift the status of young people, provide opportunities for income generation, unlock their potential and expand their space for self-actualization. Ladies and Gentlemen, Surrounding the quest for youth employment in this day and age are several realities that must be considered when formulating appropriate interventions. Among these realities is the fact that today, more than ever before, information technology has made it possible for youth from across the world to share ideas seamlessly and by so doing collapse barriers hitherto posed by sheer distance. I was pleased to read about the planned ICT hub/ Incubators for youth within the county, intended to contribute to highly informed and productive youth that will aid in streaming new and fresh ideas on matters affecting the county. MPA could liaise with the youth and the county government in helping identifying the talented, able young leaders to benefit from this initiative. However, even as we equip our youth with requisite skills in order to maximise their chances of employability and capacity to carve decent living out of their day-to-day engagements, it is paramount that we address the question of work ethics and attitudes among our youth. Concerning work ethics, I am persuaded that unless work and its fruit are intertwined with honour and other forms of social credit, work and job opportunities alone will not translate into the social and economic development we envisage. In other words, we must forge ways of encouraging our youth to view work as an honourable undertaking that bequeaths them favourable status in society. This means that the sensibilities we impart on our youth must address issues of social decorum and decency alongside commitment to greater good for the society as a whole. Professionals should play a central role in encouraging this ethic. Similarly, our development model must also seek to bring on board both gender as provided for in our Constitution. My Ministry is particularly keen on supporting and facilitating programs that spur gender equity through the representation and participation of women in all sectors. The allocation of 30% procurement spend is to be seen in this light. Unfortunately, uptake of this facility remain dismally low. I wish to take this opportunity to invite and encourage all the women in this room to appropriate these very unique avenues. Ladies and Gentlemen, As I conclude, I want to remind us, Kenya is a beautiful country and a great nation. More than ever, as a country we are poised for take-off. This country will be built by you and I as professionals. As H.E the President commissioned the youth during the launch of the new National Youth Service, “Go on and Be great! True to self, True to country”. I urge you my brothers and sisters to adorn that same mantra, and join hands and pull together towards our common future, our common prosperity as a country. As the old adage goes: ‘He who walks alone, walks fast. He who walks with others, walks far!’ The choice is in our hands. I THANK YOU
Posted on: Sat, 13 Sep 2014 14:51:21 +0000
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