The Senate Standing Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations has considered various statements sought by the Senators for the period commencing from 29th September 2022 to 31st March 2023.

In a statement tabled before the Senate by the Committee Chairpersons Senator Mohamed Abbas pursuant to Standing Order 56 (1) (b), the committee highlighted several statements that have been considered among them a statement regarding the relocation of National Government Administrative Services from Chuka Town to Kathwana Town which is the gazetted headquarters of Tharaka Nithi County sought by Sen. Mwenda Gataya Mo Fire, a statement by Sen. Prof. Tom Ojienda, SC on border disputes between Kisumu and Nandi Counties and a statement by Sen. Mohamed Chute on acquisition and distribution of relief supplies in Marsabit County.

The committee also considered a statement sought by Sen. Johnes Mwaruma on the County Boundary cutline between Taita Taveta County and the counties of Makueni, Kwale and Kajiado and a statement sought by Sen. Lenku Kanar Seki regarding implementation of second level of Devolution through decentralization of services in urban areas.

On the relocation of National Government Administrative Services from Chuka Town to Kathwana Town, the committee submitted in their report that Kathwana Town has inadequate infrastructure to accommodate all National Government departments noting that there was also unfinished construction work caused by an ongoing investigation process being undertaken by the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission. The committee in its report promised to complete its investigation and table its report in house in due course.

On the County Border disputes, the committee revealed that it is at the moment working on the County Boundaries Bill, 2023 that will create a mechanism to deal with such disputes plus alteration of county boundaries.

During the 6 months period, the committee conducted county visits Tharaka Nithi and Meru Counties where it held successful sessions with the leadership of the two counties plus residents on several issues among them delayed operationalization of Kathwana Town as Tharaka Nithi County headquarters and status of Meru County following the impeachment of the Governor.

The Committee also reported to have held engagements with various stakeholders among them the State Department of Devolution, the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee (IGRTC), County Assembly Forum, Council of Governors, the Senate Liaison Office and the West Minister Foundation for Democracy (WFD).  

To ensure there is continued capacity building, the committee chair said the members of the committee undertook a training on effective Governance and Management of Devolution organized by Eastern and Southern Africa Management Institute (ESAMI) in Dubai.

The committee further noted the existence of legal challenges hindering full implementation of devolution.

Consequently, the committee promised to come up with reviews and amendments to address the legal challenges to enable smooth implementation of devolution.