The ninth devolution conference is being held in Homa Bay County, under the theme “For the people, for prosperity: Devolution as a catalyst for Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice”. Counties should see themselves in the same league as the city states of old times in Greece that thrived on three main aspects. These were: cultural achievements that were made possible through learning and artistic expressions, that gave rise to unique cultural identities. Secondly, it was through architectural innovations and infrastructure provisions that were made in such a way they addressed the needs of the urban communities. The buildings and spaces therein were designed and developed in such ways that they addressed the assigned functions and utilities. We can achieve the same today through adequate public participation and engagement to ensure sustainable development in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Kenya Vision 2030. Thirdly, the economic and political development associated with the trade and competitiveness of the urban area. Counties can make themselves unique and attractive to all manner of investments and industrial development to provide the necessary jobs and employment opportunities. Counties are the new frontiers of socio-economic development in Kenya and can help the country achieve the upper middle-income status envisaged under the Kenya Vision 2030.
Through Counties, the ten percent annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) envisaged under Kenya Vision 2030 can be achieved. Counties should explore legal and institutional ways for increasing Own Source Revenue (OSR) collections as well as developing alternative ways of funding their budgets including floating infrastructure and Diaspora bonds. Secondly, following the announcement by H.E the President that many assets and pieces of land have been finally handed over through a gazette notice to Counties, they should leverage on their huge chunks of land to structure win-win and effective Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) to attract capital, innovation, managerial expertise, efficiency and technology in infrastructure and service delivery. Application of PPPs is supported by the Kenyan laws and regulations, including the PPP Act 2021. Further, section 33 of the Urban Areas and Cities Act, 2011, and section 6(3) of the County Governments Act, 2012, provides for use of PPPs in delivery of goods and services across Counties for example and within urban areas. Thirdly, Counties must make the six Regional Economic Blocs to work as an effective way of aggregating delivery of goods and services because of economies of scale and adequate population. These blocs – Lake Region Economic bloc (LREB); North Rift Economic Bloc (NOREB); Central Kenya Economic Bloc; Jumuiya ya Kaunti za Pwani; Southeastern Kenya Economic Bloc (SEKEB); and Frontier Counties Development Council (FCDC). Dr. Giti is an urban management, public – private partnerships (PPP) and environment specialist. mutegigiti@gmail.com , @danielgiti
Dr. Daniel Mutegi Giti 