ICPSK seeks a bigger role in running county governments

By Eric Akasa

 The Institute of Certified Public Secretaries is seeking to play a bigger role in running county governments, as devolution of power and resources gets under way. Chairman Catherine Musakali urged the Transition Authority, which is overseeing the shift from the central government to a devolved system, to ensure that county governments have the necessary framework, capacity and infrastructure to effectively perform their roles.

“We have been actively involved in the constitutional reforms which led to the devolved government,” Musakali said during the 20^th ICPSK dinner held at a Nairobi hotel. “We have tirelessly advocated for good governance and will continue to ensure the same is upheld by the leaders we have entrusted with the responsibility of steering our country forward in the devolved government.”

She said a key success factor in the transition and implementation of the devolved system has been the institutionalization of good corporate governance.  Now ICPSK wants to work with the Transition Authority to realize this mandate, she said.

ICPSK has proposed a number of areas it would like to be involved including, among others, design of appropriate governance structures for county governments, capacity building, monitoring and evaluation of transition plans, designing strategic plans and county governments’ audits. “Last but not least, the Institute wishes to extend the Champions of Governance Award to the counties in an effort to embed governance,” she said.

 Speaking at the same function Transition Authority chairman Kinuthia Wamwangi, who was the chief guest, said Kenya’s devolution is the most ambitious in the world as it is transferring a substantial amount of power and resources to an entirely new level of government. In one go, the country’s eight provinces and over 280 districts were replaced by 47 counties.

He said the Transition Authority is eager to engage with ICPSK in promoting governance in the devolved government. “The collaboration also offers numerous opportunities for ICPSK members to form reference groups that can liaise with operation Transition Authority committees or through co-option,” Wamwangi said.