More functions to counties as agency completes shift

County governments may soon oversee the management of more roads and libraries as the relevant agency completes a plan that will see all functions assigned to governors but held by the National government fully transferred.

 The long-standing tussle between the county bosses and the National government has dragged on for over 10 years.

 Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee (IGRTC) says it has developed a comprehensive framework that will address deployment plans covering budget resources, staff, systems, facilities, equipment and machinery among others.

 Agency chairman Kithinji Kiragu said within the next two months, clarity and agreement among stakeholders on the specific functions to be transferred in the 2023-24 financial year will be agreed on.

 “Through the programme, gaps in the capacities of counties, policies and laws to be amended or repealed for optimal functioning of ministries, departments and counties will also be identified,” said Kiragu.

 According to IGRTC the functions include county roads which currently are usually managed by Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) and Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KERRA). Currently, KERRA manages, develops and maintains most rural roads while KURA is in charge of roads in urban areas.

 “The Transition Authority (TA) reclassification of roads remains contested and has been the subject of intergovernmental discussions and litigation. The apportionment of Class D roads between the National Government (24,00km) and for the County Governments,” reads the report by IGRTC.

Library services

 Also set to be moved to counties is library services which are currently managed by Kenya National Library Services.

 “Library functions are a devolved function under the fourth schedule of the constitution,’’ a report by IGRTC reads.

  There are about 63 libraries in Kenya spread across 33 counties.

 Betting Control is another county function still undertaken by the national government under the Ministry of Interior.

 Kithinji said they are also looking to transfer disaster management currently under the Ministry of Interior.

 Counties will also take up management of ferries and harbours.

 Also under county management will be museums which are currently managed by Kenya National Museums which is under the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage.

Water services

 Aspect water services including protection, securing residual water, water reticulation will also go to counties.

 “Intergovernmental cooperation between the County Governments and the regional bodies in the areas of project identification, implementation and management. It is undesirable that continued interactions between the counties and the Regional Development Agencies (RDA’s) continue to happen on an ad hoc basis,” the report reads.

 They include Tanathi Water Services Board, Tana water services board, Rift-Valley Water Services Board, northern water services board, Lake Victoria water services board and lake victoria south water services board.

 Kiragu also used the opportunity to assure the employees working in the national government that they will not lose their jobs as a result of the transition.

 “It is important to note that the transfer of functions will not result in any job loss, the staff will instead move with their functions and with all their current and future benefits,” he emphasised.

CoG meeting

 During a Council of Governors (CoG) meeting in Mombasa President William Ruto directed the Ministry of Devolution to fast-track the transfer of all devolved functions to counties. Ruto said one area of dissatisfaction in the counties is the delay in transferring all the devolved functions.

 “We are committed to the complete transfer of all functions constitutionally earmarked for the counties. I therefore, want to direct the Ministry of Devolution to complete the process of unbundling all these functions and the National Treasury to avail the necessary funds to complete the exercise,” he said. 

The Head of State also said he is aware that the valuation and transfer of assets and liabilities relating to the devolved functions have not been completed due to insufficient funds.