COUNCIL OF GOVERNORS

The Council of Governors is established under Section 19 of the Intergovernmental Relations Act

2012 with the mandate to provide a mechanism for consultation amongst County Governments,

share information on performance of the counties in execution of their functions, facilitate

capacity building for governors, and consider reports from other intergovernmental forums on

national and county interests amongst other functions (Section20).

In light of section 20(3) of the Intergovernmental Relations Act, the Council of Governors has established Sectoral committees that deal with policy issues in the respective sectors. The Committees meet regulalry and report back to the Council on progress made and any challenges experienced. Section 21,of the Act requires that the Council should meet at least twice in a year. During the meeting held on 8th May 2014, which is the last meeting this financial year, the agenda constituted of the following items:

1. Election of the Chairman and Vice-Chairman in light of Section 19 of the Intergovernmental Relations Act.

2. Status updates from the Sectoral Committees coming key engagements and proposed calender of COG meetings.

During the meeting, the Governors re-elected H.E Isaac Ruto as Chairman Council of Governors

the Chairman, H.E Isaac Ruto, H.E Salim Mvurya as the Vice-Chairman. H.E (Dr.) Evans Kidero

decided not to defend his seat he however recommitted himself to the work of the Council of

Governors and he in fact is the one who proposed H.E Salim Mvurya as the Vice-Chairman Council

of Governors.

The Governors also deliberated on the need to have a whip after assessing the need for the

Council. H.E Hon. Kenneth Lusaka was proposed as the Governors Whip and was endorsed by the

Council unopposed. After the elections the Governors proceeded with the agenda of the

meeting.

At no point in the meeting did the Governors discuss the issue of formation of a political party.

The Council of Governors prides itself, in its non-partisan nature. In all the Council meetings,

Governors work as a team and party matters have never been a consideration of what the

Council does. The Council of Governors being the 47 Governors are full aware they are the

pioneer Governors and indeed the Heads of the County Governments and the success of

devolution is squarely in their hands. They understand that for devolution to work, their efforts

will count more than their political affiliation.

The Article in the Star Newspaper (or one Daily Media) of Monday 12th May 2014 is to say the least

unfortunate and irresponsible. The headline article is misleading and intended to paint the

Council as a partisan organization. This is viewed as not only malicious but a move to destabilize

the country, only one year after the General Elections of 2013. The Council of Governors wishes

to assure Kenyans that they are committed to ensure devolution succeeds and are braced for any

challenges but wishes to remind those against devolution that, we all serve the same people who

elected us and we remain accountable to them for delivery of services not by besmirching each

other.

Let’s hold hands and make devolution a success.

H.E Hon. Isaac Ruto, EGH