Kenya: Stop Confusing Us

18 July 2011

editorial

Nairobi — A task force set up by the minister in charge of Local Government on devolution comes up with a recommendation that the Provincial Administration will be disbanded, and observers, including the Press, praise the resolution as farsighted.

Four days later, the permanent secretary in charge of the Provincial Administration says nothing of the sort is being planned or anticipated. The task force, he says, has gone beyond its mandate.

Kenyans, as always, are left bemused. Who is telling the truth? Or is everyone in government groping about in the dark?

This may not be the case. The grey area could be in the way the Devolution chapter was drawn up:

There was no mention of dissolving the Provincial Administration, but there were hints that chiefs, their assistants, and probably even DOs, DCs and PCs will be absorbed in county governments.

Certainly, even if the Provincial Administration is not to be known by that name, some form of grassroots administration will be inevitable.

So why do those in government not tell it as it is instead of talking at cross-purposes?

Devolution is a vexed issue that might bring out the worst in us. It must be handled with great care.

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