Kipchumba Murkomen, James Orengo Differ During Devolution Conference 2018

Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen and his Siaya counterpart James Orengo on Tuesday differed on the governors' role in achieving devolution vision. 

The Senate Majority leader, on his part, lashed out at governors for allegedly running away from accountability and crippling of the oversight of the county assemblies. 

Murkomen further backed the strengthening of the oversight role in counties to ensure prudent use of public resources. 

[caption caption="File image of Siaya Senator James Orengo and his Elgeyo Marakwet counterpart Kipchumba Murkomen"][/caption]

"We started after the 2013 elections on conflict and confrontation instead of consultation and collaboration. This conference should open a new chapter for the national government, counties and other actors to work together," Murkomen noted during the 5th Annual Devolution Conference in Kakamega. 

Murkomen harshly critiqued the thought inflicted on Kenyans that the system of devolution is about Governors alone.

"Devolution is bigger that Governors, MCAs and the national government," exclaimed the lawmaker. 

Murkomen, who spoke at Kakamega High School, further hit out at the County boss for relegating Deputy Governors to "mere spectators" in county matters.

"Nowadays Deputy Governors have been turned into whole-day newspaper readers. Everybody should feel they are contributing to the development of the country," Murkomen announced. 

However, in his address, the Senate Minority Leader noted that the behaviour by some legislators of accusing governors of squandering county resources, leading to failure of the actualisation of the Devolution vision, must cease.

The senior counsel also stated that the governors are obliged to protect and advance devolution yet blame game has been shifting from the national to the county government. 

[caption caption="File image of NASA leaders Moses Wetangula, Musalia Mudavadi and James Orengo"][/caption]