SPEECH BY MS.

ANNE WAIGURU, OGW CABINET SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF DEVOLUTION AND PLANNING, DURING THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL CONSULTATIVE WORKSHOP ON CAPACITY BUILDING AT THE KENYA SCHOOL OF GOVERNMENT ON 9TH OCTOBER, 2013 The Chairman, Council of Governors, Principal Secretary, Members of County Executive Committees, Participants, Ladies and Gentlemen I am pleased to be with you this morning to officially open this very important workshop on capacity building for County Governments. Your presence here today speaks loudly to the commitment by the two levels of Government, to strengthen intergovernmental relations and mutual cooperation and to ensure that with regard to devolution, our Constitution is fully implemented. Capacity building is a key responsibility of my Ministry. The Constitution of Kenya 2010, in the Fourth Schedule, allocates capacity building and provision of technical assistance to Counties as a national government function. Section 15 (2) (a) of the Sixth Schedule requires Parliament to enact legislation which provides for the manner in which the national government shall facilitate the devolution of power; assist county governments in building their capacity to govern effectively and provide the services for which they are responsible; and, to support county governments generally. This mandate is further elaborated under Section 121 of the
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County Governments Act which requires the ministry responsible for matters of intergovernmental relations to provide support to county governments to enable them to perform their functions. It is for this reason that we have invited you here to flag out county based capacity building needs and together, identify solutions to these capacity challenges. challenges. We are witness to uncoordinated and eclectic attempts at capacity building being undertaken in a number of the counties. There is likelihood of duplication of efforts and resources between various stakeholders. There are also financial constraints complexity and breadth of scope that we shall have to address. The work for this workshop is therefore readily cut-out. Ladies and Gentlemen In the perspective of this workshop, it is necessary that we in the Ministry share our thinking on the subject of capacity building. The capacity building we envisage in the context of the model of devolved government addresses both the National and County Governments. It targets a broad spectrum of stakeholders that includes the public sector, media, private sector, community groups and the civil society. We shall seek to achieve four distinctive objectives through capacity building. The first objective is to upgrade the skills and competencies of County staff so that they can perform their responsibilities adequately to enhance service delivery. Second, to support counties with capacities to build structures and systems that will promote and ensure sustainable social economic development. The third objective is to empower citizens in the county to hold county governments accountable through civic education and sensitization on the
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But provision of capacity building itself is not without

role of county governments. We shall also provide capacity support to County Assemblies so that all County institutions progress as one. Through this approach the Ministry will have played its part in achieving one of the key objects of devolution as spelt out in Article 175 of the constitution, and that is; to promote social and economic development and

the provision of proximate, easily accessible services throughout Kenya.

It cannot be over emphasized that for us to succeed, we need to concentrate on the strengthening institutions at all levels, continuing with reforms within the public sector and adjusting management styles and instruments. In sum, we have to embrace change in line with governance system we have given to ourselves and to future generations. Ladies and Gentlemen For many Kenyans, devolution is the answer to achieving faster socialpolitical and economic development. It is an answer to the traditional regional disparities in national resource allocations.. Kenyans are eager to see their livelihoods improve and poverty alleviated from their midst. They want to be involved in development programmes and activities. They want to see their government respond to their needs. They want to see value for their tax shillings through an effective public service at both levels of Government. In this regard, the capacity building action plans you are here to develop should aim at providing efficient public service delivery to facilitate economic growth that is broadly shared. The Kenya Vision 2030 envisages a public service that contributes to the achievement of the economic, Social and political aspirations of our country.

This cannot be realized without effective frameworks that will sustain public service reforms change in the service. Ladies and Gentlemen, The Ministry of Devolution and Planning has taken seriously its responsibility to ensure that the mechanisms for intergovernmental relations are in place to facilitate consultations and cooperation between the two levels of government. In the context of capacity building, sector working forums are already working as platforms for sharing information and expertise. We shall continue to strengthen these mechanisms for engagement as we move ahead. In addition, the Ministry will ensure that capacity building programmes adhere to the same standards and quality. All counties should be assured that they will receive the programmes with same features to ensure a harmonized approach across the nation. Ladies and Gentlemen In conclusion let me state two things. First, I reiterate the National Governments commitment to devolution. But devolution is a journey. Today, we are here to take that journey a step further. This journey will be long and demanding. But I believe that a society any society, that pools its resource together, with the right spirit and commitment, will always achieve its goal. We are a resilient people and we shall complete this journey on devolution. Second, let us acknowledge that devolution is a bold experiment. We are all learning each day at a time. We are here therefore to work for a common goal, to serve the people of our nation, Kenya. So let us face the challenges before us in brotherly and sisterly concord, aware that the nation has arrived at a turning point. We need to turn with it.
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Ladies and Gentlemen With those remarks Ladies and Gentlemen, it is now my pleasure to declare this Intergovernmental Workshop on Capacity Building officially open. THANK YOU