Kenya Has No Proper System to Support County Governments: World Bank Report

By O'Brien Kimani

NAIROBI (NNN-KBC) -- Kenya does not have a proper financial and technical system to support the county governments it proposes to establish less than six months before it is due to adopt a devolved system of governance, according to a World Bank report launched here.

The report says that the government should develop a county financial management system to eliminate corruption and misappropriation of funds at the county level although it commends the government for laying out a clear transition framework.

The report, entitled "Devolution without disruption", is the first comprehensive study to be conducted on the challenges and opportunities facing the country as it gears for the devolved system of government. It cites the lack of a financial management system at the county level and the lack of clear policy on equal distribution of resources.

World Bank Country Director Johannes Zutt said at the launch of the report here Wednesday that although Kenya had a qualified human resource, there was no clearly defined mechanism on how public servants would be seconded to the county administrations and which supervisory authority they would come under.

So far, the government has allocated the devolution process 35 billion shillings (one USD = about 85.15 shillings) to help in setting up offices and the support staff for county officials.

The report says that the 5.5 billion shillings set aside for the equalization fund is still very small and there should be a framework on how the fund will be distributed from the central government.

Zutt also commended the revenue-sharing mechanism developed by the Commission for Revenue Allocation, saying that it was likely to spur growth and direct resources where it was needed most.

The World Bank has committed to helping the government with technical and financial support in the devolution process. -- NNN-KBC