NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 27 – Local Government Minister Musalia Mudavadi has appointed a 24-member taskforce to prepare and propose implementation mechanisms for the devolved system of government as required by the new Constitution.
Through a special Gazette Notice dated October 25, Mr Mudavadi appointed law lecturer Dr Mutakha Kangu to head the taskforce.
“The taskforce is an inclusive mix of government technocrats, academics, professionals and representatives of organized groups,” said a statement from the Deputy Prime Minister’s office.
“The team has a nine-month mandate.”
The new Constitution requires that all legislation related to urban areas and cities, and establishment of the 47 County Governments be in place within 10 and 18 months respectively from the date of promulgation on August 27.
Constitutional Affairs Secretary Gichira Kibara, Law Society of Kenya Chairman Kenneth Akide, Secretary of the Kenya Law Reform Commission Joash Dache, Nairobi University Sociology lecturer Prof Winnie Mitulla and former member of the Kriegler Commission Lucy Kambuni are also part of the team.
Other members are Patrick M. Karanja, Pauline Nyamweya, Joseph Irungu, Onesmus, Kipchumba, Patrick Onyango, Edwin Aligula, and S. G. Karicho.
The team also has Prof Edward Oyugi, Kasembeli W. Nasiuma, Marion Muriithi, Harriet Naitore, Polycarp Ochilo, Khamisi Mboga, Dr Nehemiah Ngen\’o, Jelani Habib, S.M. Osodo, Fatma Ali Saman and John Nguri.
Its Joint-Secretaries are Anthony O. Ombwayo, Pauline Muriithia and Angeline Hongo.
The team will gather views, collect information and make recommendations on legislation and operationalising the functions of each County, consistent with Schedule IV of the Constitution, rationalising the existing local authorities and clearing any financial obligations that may be outstanding.
It will also address specifics of the financial management systems that the County governments shall perform, taxes and charges that each County may impose and assistance to County governments in building their capacity to govern effectively and provide the services for which they are responsible.
In carrying out its mandate the taskforce is expected to carry out studies or research as required for the effective execution of its mandate. It will collect and collate public views on how implementation of the devolved government should be structured.
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