Kiunjuri urged them to instead focus on the positive gains while offering solutions for any shortcomings that may emerge/FILE
NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 15 – Devolution Cabinet Secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri has reiterated the need for politicians especially in the Opposition not to criticise government projects too much on supposed corruption as it will have a negative impact on the country’s overall development.
Speaking during the launch of the county model laws, Kiunjuri urged them to instead focus on the positive gains while offering solutions for any shortcomings that may emerge.
He stressed that where there is suspicion, investigations should be concluded and evidence produced before anyone cries foul due to perceived wrongs.
“You can do whatever you want, you can commit suicide, you can become a suicide bomber but the country will be left behind. You are the first person to suspect then you allocate yourself the role of a whistle blower. Before you finish whistle blowing, you become the investigator and before you finish that, you are the prosecutor. What kind of nation is this?” he posed.
He stated that Kenya’s democracy is based on the rule of law and that laws are formulated to build a strong nation
The Devolution CS indicated that most of the projects being criticised were conceived by the same people who are opposing them.
“It is important for Kenyans to start now auditing all the information that’s given to them. It is like the Pharisees who preached water and drank wine. We are not following any other blue print. It is the blue print that they know about which is pegged on the vision 2030.”
He was referring to instances where the Opposition led by CORD leader Raila Odinga put the government to task over the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway and the northern water tunnel which he has maintained will have negative impact on the Kenyan people.
He encouraged Kenyans to thoroughly interrogate any information given to them so that they are not misled.
“Through the next nine months there will always be another government project that is suspect. If you want to poke holes, you will do it comfortable,” he stated.
Kiunjuri outlined the many gains of devolution key among them being the launching of the county model laws that are expected to assist county governments in the development of their legislation.
He explained that the laws outline common areas between the National and County Governments which are crucial for their cooperation.
He further indicated that they will help county governments in performing their duties effectively and streamline the uptake of devolved functions thereby improving service delivery.
“Devolution is the best thing that has happened in this great country. It has given an invaluable opportunity to all people to legislate on issues that affect them most closely. Four years down the devolution road, we have seen great efforts made by county governments to do just that,” he said.
He emphasised that this will mark a milestone in the devolution process and contribute to the national transformation and in the achievement of the Vision 2030 goals.
“Law making is always a complex process, requiring negotiated inputs by various stakeholders. As the national government, we continue to support the deepening of our devolved system of government. We are obligated to build the capacity of county governments not only the key areas of responsibility but also the areas of their choice,” he said.
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