Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has urged the national government to cede more functions to the county governments to enhance devolution and national development.
She said the two levels of government must work closely together to foster development adding that there should be no room for fights over roles and resources.
Speaking during the Homabay International Investment Conference in Homa Bay Town, Wanga cited devolution as an impetus for infrastructural development, health service delivery, agriculture and tourism sector expansion.
Migori Governor Achilo Ayacko said that most of the rural access roads along the lake basin were in bad condition and there was need to devolve funding for maintenance of such roads.
He affirmed that the collaboration between the national and county governments has resulted in improved air transport through rehabilitation of airstrips.
He also appealed to the development partners investing in counties to scale up their engagement with the counties and consider them competent in their national and global development goals.
“I’m aware of the attitudes, actions, and pronouncements by some senior national government officials that are meant to block the development partners from engaging with the counties,” he affirmed.
He called for support for Raila Odinga’s s bid for the Chairmanship of the African Union (AU) commission, adding that he will still be able to actively participate in local politics.
The Siaya county Governor James Orengo echoed the sentiments saying that to unlock the full potential of devolution, the national government has to support counties to deliver their mandates.
He commended Homabay County governor Gladys Wanga, for her efforts in showcasing the endless potential of devolution through the conference.
Governor Gladys Wanga hailed ODM leader Raila Odinga for fighting for devolution fervently in the past years which she said contributed to the success of the investment conference in counties.
Former Governor of Kakamega County Wycliffe Oparanya also said that devolution had transformed the grassroots and urged the national government to allocate more resources to the counties.
By Daisy Marcy and Davis Langat
