In a resounding call to uphold the principles of devolution, Council of Governors (COG) chair Anne Waiguru has urged Constitutional and Independent Offices to prioritize the interests of devolved governments in their constitutional mandates.

During the commencement of a three-day retreat involving the executive and the CCIOs in Naivasha, Waiguru underscored the critical need for all state and public officers to fully embrace and support the objectives of devolution.

She expressed concern over the lingering resistance of some Constitutional Commissions and Independent Offices (CCIOs) to fully adopt the ethos of devolved governance, despite a decade having elapsed since its inception.

"It is, however, concerning that some of them have not fully embraced the vital principle of devolution which is a cornerstone of our national values and principles of governance, binding all State organs to its objectives," Waiguru noted.

She emphasized the necessity for a paradigm shift in the approach of CCIOs towards county governments, stressing the importance of ensuring that all citizens reap the benefits of devolution.

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Waiguru highlighted various persistent challenges facing devolved units, including disputes over revenue sharing, financial management hurdles, and strikes by health workers, all of which significantly impede service delivery.

"Ongoing disagreements surrounding the equitable sharing of revenue between the National and County Governments create delays and uncertainty in budget implementation," she emphasized.

Waiguru also pointed out the fiscal vulnerability of county governments, driven by their reliance on equitable share allocations from the National Government due to their failure to meet own-source revenue targets.

She stressed the imperative of promoting sustainable intergovernmental relations and urged CCIOs to support both levels of government in achieving this goal.

Additionally, the Governor called for enhanced engagement and collaboration between Constitutional and Independent Offices and county governments to identify practical solutions to the challenges facing devolution. S

he emphasized the importance of open dialogue and cooperation to ensure the successful realization of devolution's objectives for the benefit of all Kenyans.

Waiguru's rallying call resonates with the need for collective action and collaboration to overcome the hurdles hindering the full realization of devolution's potential.

It underscores the shared responsibility of all stakeholders in upholding the principles of devolution and ensuring effective service delivery at the county level.