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{
    "id": 389243,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/389243/?format=api",
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    "content": "counties which is where the focus ought to be. The Motion, as it reads, does not aim to introduce something that is completely new because we already have the Intergovernmental Relations Act and the County Governments Act, both of which emphasize the importance of strategic planning at the county level. The only thing they have not done which I think many counties have started doing is to put their development and strategic plans into operation and to synthesise them. What has not happened is that there has not been enough emphasis in terms of what the plans should constitute. There seems to be no coordinated effort at ensuring that at the end of the day, there is a distinct programme of ensuring that certain indicators are put into place. With regard to the objects and purposes of Article 3 of the Intergovernmental Relations Act, 2012, this provides a framework for consultation and cooperation between the national Government and the county governments. Article 8 provides a framework for the national and county governments coordinating summit which should be part and parcel of the process of ensuring that the conflicts between the national Government and county governments are eradicated. Among the forums that have been put in place is the Intergovernmental Relations Act which is key. Paragraph (f) of the Motion talks of: “Evaluating the performance of national or county governments and recommending appropriate action”. This is key; the idea of evaluation has been put in place. However, there is no detail of how that is supposed to happen. That forum should also receive progress reports and provide advice and appropriate direction where necessary. Paragraph (h) of the Motion talks of: Monitoring the implementation of national and county government plans and recommending appropriate action. So, the key element here is monitoring the implementation of national and county development plans. The assumption made is that these plans will come from one place or another. Vision 2030, to a large extent, has looked at profiles and the level of development agenda that might be required for specific counties. Likewise, the Ministry of Devolution and Planning has put into place various plans and strategies as they have always done like five years development plans and ten years strategic development plans. Most county governments are borrowing from the various indicators so that they can put together their own strategic plans and have a direction in terms of where they want to go as counties. The Council of Governors has also been concerned about the whole idea of performance at county level and enhancing this. One of the responsibilities of this organ is to receive reports and monitor the implementation of inter-county agreements and inter-county projects. The council shall submit an annual report to the Senate and to the National Assembly. This is very key. We will expect reports from the Council of Governors in terms of the progress that has been made by counties. Those reports will come for the Senate, the National Assembly and the county assemblies. What method of evaluation will we use to see whether counties have really developed? Where are the baseline plans, for example? Where are the baseline studies that have been done for each of those counties so that as we receive the reports, we have a basis of evaluating whether the plans have been effective or not? The worry is that after five years of so much work, but without focus on the counties, they will lose the development agenda. We need to come up with a clear agenda, theoretical and practical The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposes only. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor, Senate."
}