The Objects of Devolution

CONSTITUTION OF KENYA

174. The objects of the devolution of government are—
(a) to promote democratic and accountable exercise of power;
(b) to foster national unity by recognising diversity;
(c) to give powers of self-governance to the people and enhance the participation of the people in the exercise of the powers of the State and in making decisions affecting them;
(d) to recognise the right of communities to manage their own affairs and to further their development;
(e) to protect and promote the interests and rights of minorities and marginalised communities
(f) to promote social and economic development and the provision of proximate, easily accessible services throughout Kenya;
(g) to ensure equitable sharing of national and local resources throughout Kenya;
(h) to facilitate the decentralisation of State organs, their functions and services, from the capital of Kenya; and,
(i)to enhance checks and balances and the separation of powers.

Courtesy of Tom Kagwe
https://www.facebook.com/tom.kagwe?fref=ts

Beneath the bodies in Tana Delta

Sometimes the past is a good reference of what will happen in the future. What has happened and is happening now in Tana River delta and it's wet lands is a pointer to what may happen in future about land issues in this country. It is a policy failure! Alienating local communities from decision making regarding resources be it land, water, minerals etc.  will ultimately have dire consequences at the local level and nationally even internationally. The Ormas and Pokomo have coexisted for many years with no major problems. They are brothers and sisters each undertaking different economic activity.  But lo and behold when resources grabbing starts, all hell breaks loose. The area becomes a slaughterhouse for human beings. Brothers and sisters can no longer give each other a cup of tea leave a lone a glass of water.

The reason for the current security quagmire in the area is very well explained in the first paragraph of the paper's conclusion section 6. The Minister of Internal Security and his Security team should refer to this paper (and many others) to enable the team craft long lasting security measures that will help sort out this very grave situation. What is happening is a symptom, what is the trigger? This is a resource curse likely to degenerate to the levels of DRC perennial internal fights in the future. It is likely to spread to the whole country. God forbade what will happen when we start exploiting oil commercially where the 'big' money is. It is obvious the local communities did not invent the fights but the fights were taken to them.

To what extent does the New Constitution address the land issues and how practical is it considering what is currently happening with other sections of the Constitution? The beneficiaries of the land allocation should also be involved in providing solutions to the crisis. Or should we sacrifice our nation at the altar of capitalism? Why are the presidential aspirants not telling us about the specific steps they will take to ensure the security of this country both internal and external is maintained. Saying they will address security issues is empty rhetoric, mere side-road politics- we need specifics.  Security of our people is not politics it is about the life of every Kenyan and the very survival of this great nation. The future of this great country is in our hands as Kenyans. God bless our country.

Courtesy Katiba Forum - Jukwaa la katiba