The Council of Governors has called for harmonization of the delineation of boundaries and management of decentralized units up to the village level to eliminate the parallel administration units of national and county governments.

Appearing before the Senate Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Foreign Relations, Tana River County Governor Dhadho Godhana who is the Chairperson of the Security Committee in the Council said lack of proper delineation of boundaries has caused confusion in operations on the grassroots.

He said although some of the challenges have already been addressed by the County Government Act, there is a need for stakeholders to have a robust discussion and come up with measures and guidelines that will address the remaining gaps.

Members of the committee wondered if indeed the Nyumba Kumi Initiative still exists, resolving to relook into it to ensure it is streamlined appropriately.

The Council of Governors argued that the delineation of boundaries will create an avenue for recognition of village elders as a joint structure of the National and County Governments.

In addition, Governor Godhana revealed that the action, if actualized, will help clarify and give legal guidelines on the issue of remuneration of the village elders that has been discussed for a long time now.

The Council of Governors was giving its submissions to the Baringo Senator William Cheptumo led Committee following a petition by Mr. Benson Kagete, EGH, the Secretary General National Community Ambassadors who wants the Senate to amend the National Government Co-ordination Act No. 1 of 2013 to provide for village as the lowest administrative unit after a Sub location and establishment of a village Council.

Mr. Kagete further wants the Senate to cause the Ministry of Interior and National Administration to develop a comprehensive policy on the recruitment and remuneration of village elders and in particular the policy to cover the terms of engagement, functions of the village elders, criteria for recruitment and termination of engagement.

Next week the Committee is scheduled to hold a consultative meeting with the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Interior and National Administration Pro. Kithure Kindiki over the matter.

Committee members in attendance were Baringo Senator William Cheptumo (Chairperson), Sen. Karen Nyamu (Vice Chairperson), Kajiado County Senator Seki Lenku and West Pokot County Senator Julius Murgor.