Senate Deputy Speaker Hon. Kathuri Murungi, MGH has assured Kenyans that the Senate is fully committed to supporting transformation in Counties through necessary legislative interventions and the requisite legal framework.

In his remarks that were submitted by Sen. Veronica Maina, a member of the Speaker`s Panel, during Devolution Conference in Eldoret Sports Club, Sen. Murungi said the Senate will do all that is possible to ensure Kenyans feel the fruits of Devolution.

He said the Senate is committed to ensuring all the dreams that were endorsed by Kenyans during the 2010 Constitutional referendum are fully realized.

“Devolution was among the most prominent features that enticed the majority of Kenyans in the national referendum held in 2010, there is no doubt, therefore, that the purpose and ultimate goals of Devolution were to spur and accelerate Kenya's social-economic transformation from the grassroots, to ultimately make it competitive at the global stage,” explained Hon. Murungi.

“I am confident that this noble intention will yield great results, as county governments play a significant role in their niche, as framed by the five pillars of our economic transformation agenda, namely agriculture, micro, small, and medium enterprises, housing and settlement, healthcare, digital highway, and the creative economy,” emphasized Sen. Murungi.

He said despite implementation of Devolution facing daunting challenges in the last decade, there are several success stories that have been recorded adding that those stories should inspire and motivate Kenyans to redouble their efforts.

The Meru County Senator noted several improvements in the road networks, infrastructure in the health system, modern stadia, markets for fresh market produce and employment opportunities created for Kenyans courtesy of Devolution.

He called on the County and National Governments to work closely and establish reliable sources of revenue for the implementation of Devolution for the benefit of Kenyans challenging Counties to aim at their financial autonomy.

“As we are all aware, Counties have largely, if not completely, relied on Exchequer disbursements for their survival, Own-Source-Revenue as a financial lifeline for counties still remains a mirage, yet it is Own-Source-Revenue that promises to guarantee the ultimate financial liberty and autonomy that devolved units so much crave for and which we are all certain would make Devolution sustainable,” submitted Hon. Murungi.

“This is the scenario we should now confront and seek to change, we need a paradigm shift in the way we perceive funding models for the counties and the role of Own-Source Revenue in attainment of the goals and objectives of Devolution,” he added.

He concluded by urging stakeholders to conduct a robust discourse that will bring on board progressive recommendations that will help frame and inform further engagements in the Devolution space.