Role of the National Assembly in Equitable

Transcript:Role of the National Assembly in Equitable:
Role of the National Assembly in Equitable Distribution of Resources to Counties S.N.A Presentation on Friday 15th Nov. 2017, Rt. Hon. Justin B. Muturi, E.G.H, M.P Speaker of the National Assembly of Kenya The Promulgation of the Constitution in 2010 fundamentally shifted administrative structures as well as the entire process of sharing national resources as a result of Devolution. The objectives of Devolution as stated in article 174 of the constitution among others include; to promote social economic development and the provision of proximate, easily accessible services to all Kenyans. Introduction Further, to ensure equitable sharing of national and local resources throughout the country and to facilitate the decentralization of state organs, their functions and services from the capital of the country, Nairobi. Devolution as envisaged in the Constitution therefore requires the sharing of political administrative and fiscal powers between the National and County Governments. One of the pillars of successful devolution is transfer of resources to the devolved units. County Governments can only implement their functions and responsibilities effectively if they have adequate financial resources. Pursuant to Article 95 (4)(a) of the Constitution, the National Assembly determines the allocation of national revenue between the National and County Governments. Chapter 12 of the 2010 Constitution lays out both detailed principles and elaborate procedures for making decisions about public finances. The core values espoused in the constitution are reducible to two; public engagement throughout the process and equity in distribution of the resources. Article 201 of the constitution stipulates explicitly that the public finance system shall promote an equitable society and expenditure shall promote equitable development of the country including by making special provision for marginalized groups and areas. Particularly, Article 202 (1) reinforces that revenue raised nationally shall be shared equitably among national and county governments. Further, Article 203 sets out the criteria in determining the equitable shares concerning County Governments that is also embedded in all other Legislation; inter alia national interest, needs of the national government, need to ensure that county governments are able to perform the functions allocated to them. Also fiscal capacity and efficiency of county governments, the development and needs of the counties and economic disparities within and among counties and the need to remedy them. The need for affirmative action in respect to disadvantaged areas and groups. The need for economic optimization of each county while providing incentives for each county to optimize its