![](https://kepsa.or.ke/images/Event-1.jpg" class="post-image img-fluid)
Lorem, ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit. Consequatur magnam molestias recusandae odit voluptate beatae dignissimos est nesciunt vitae repellendus a aliquid
KEPSA is the private sector apex and umbrella body set up in 2003, to bring together business community in a single voice to engage and influence public policy for an enabling business environment. over 500,000 direct and indirect members..
KEPSA
7th Floor, South Tower, Two Rivers, Limuru Rd, Nairobi.
info@kepsa.or.ke
KEPSA CEO CHAMPIONS FOR THE PRIVATE SECTOR DEVOLUTION SUPPORT PROGRAMME (PSDSP) DURING THE GOVERNORS' INDUCTION RETREAT
- Published On: 2022-09-16
16th September 2022, Mombasa.
By Boniface Mutinda
Ms. Carole Kariuki, the KEPSA CEO delivered a keynote address on the Partnerships between the County Governments and the private sector, during an induction ceremony for the newly elected county bosses and their deputies in Mombasa town.
Hosted by the Council of Governors (CoG), the ceremony aims at ensuring a smooth transition, stability, and continued service delivery in the counties. Themed: Towards better governance and outcome-driven service delivery at the counties, the induction was officially opened by Deputy President H.E Rigathi Gachagua.
During the first day, key issues were discussed including the historical background of devolution in Kenya, the Policy & legal framework for devolution, and Intergovernmental relations, among others.
On the second day, the participants engaged on County Planning, Budgeting and Financing, County Procurement, and County Public service management.
President William Ruto has committed to enhancing devolution by accelerating the transfer of outstanding functions to counties.
“To promote budget efficiency and minimize disruptions and delays in devolved service delivery, my administration commits to take necessary measures to secure the timely disbursement of revenue allocations to county governments,” he said on Tuesday during his inauguration ceremony.
In the August 9 General Election, 28 new governors were elected, eight pioneer ones made a comeback and 11 were re-elected. CoG chief executive and chairperson of the induction steering committee Mary Mwiti reiterated the importance of all partners in strengthening devolution.
“This manual will be experiential with the aim of sharing and ring-fencing the gains made in devolution thus far. This is the first step in ensuring that devolution is strengthened and there is efficient and effective service delivery at the county level,” said Ms Mwiti.
She also pointed out that the manual will capture lessons learned with an aim of using past experience to come up with better strategies.
In her keynote address, the KEPSA CEO highlighted the various PPD platforms established in the organization, aimed at bringing the private sector together to speak in one voice on cross-cutting issues in the policy-making process.
“Through our different sector boards, we engage our members, collate, harmonize and present their input to the Government and other stakeholders and work on solutions together,” She said.
Ms. Kariuki went on to speak on the six intervention areas aimed at supporting county competitiveness and inclusive prosperity which include:
- A Partnership on Investments Readiness, Job Growth and Employment.
- E-Government, Compliance, and Enforcement.
- Development of Sustainable Urban Areas.
- Urban Mobility and Transport.
- Agriculture, Food Safety and Growth.
- Water, wastewater and solid waste management
Further, during the meeting the KEPSA CEO championed for the KEPSA - CoG Roundtable and highlighted the Private Sector Devolution Support Programme (PSDP) which was jointly developed by CoG and KEPSA and is premised on enhancing Public-Private Partnerships and dialogue in the context of devolution. The Key components of PSDP include:
- Implementation of the Counties Competitiveness Index,
- Establish Public Private Dialogue (PPD) mechanisms in the counties, and
- developing cluster development in the county economic blocs.
Also speaking in her capacity as the Chair of the Vision 2030 Board, Ms. Kariuki urged the Governors to adopt the country’s vision of transforming Kenya into a newly industrializing, middle-income country providing a high quality of life to all its citizens by 2030 in a clean and secure environment, into their county plans.
In this year’s induction retreat, the county chiefs will also elect their vice-chairperson, council whip, and chairs of committees.
Other leaders who spoke in the retreat include Deputy President H.E. Hon. Rigathi Gachagua, former Makueni Governor Prof. Kivutha Kibwana, Ms. Florence Kajuju, Chairperson of the Commission of Administrative Justice, Dr. Mutakha Kangu, Constitutional law expert, Mr. Julius Korir, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Devolution, Mr. Saitoti Torome, CBS, Principal Secretary, State Department for Planning, Mr. Julius Muia, PhD, CBS, Principal Secretary, National Treasury among others.
The retreat will culminate with the launch of the Council of Governors Strategic Plan, which will be presided over by H.E. Hon. Dr. William Samoei Ruto, CGH, President of the Republic of Kenya.