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    "id": 673730,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/673730/?format=api",
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    "content": "Chapter 2 deals with the Republic. Article 6(2) is on devolution and access to services. It says:- “The governments at the national and county levels are distinct and inter- dependent and shall conduct their mutual relations on the basis of consultation and cooperation.” Article 175(a) and (b) on Principles of Devolved Government, says:- “County Governments established under this Constitution shall reflect the following principles – (a) County Governments shall be based on democratic principles and separation of powers. (b) County government shall have reliable sources of revenue to enable them to govern and deliver services effectively.” Madam Temporary Speaker, I am reading those two because I want to come to very important issues. That is the issue of ensuring that devolution goes up to the village level. The principle of having governments which are separate and interdependent is being hampered by the non-implementation of Section 17 of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, on Transitional and Consequential Provisions, which reads:- “Within five years after the effective date, the national Government shall restructure the system of administration commonly known as the provincial administration to accord with and respect the system of devolved government established under this Constitution “ If you take all those parts of the Constitution that I have read to you, you will understand that all county governments in this Republic have not taken devolution to the village level. Sen. (Prof.) Lonyangapuo is not only amending the County Governments Act to accord with devolution, but also to give notice to the national Government that five years are over. If the provincial administration is not restructured to accord with the principle of devolution, they will be undermining devolution from the village level. The only effective administrator at the village level today is the assistant chief. There is no official of the county government equivalent to the assistant chief at the village. Devolution ends at the ward level where there is the ward administrator and the ward representative. Below that, the local administration is left to the national Government in what was previously called provincial administration; what has still been maintained by the Government, contrary to Section 17 of the Sixth Schedule on Transitional and Consequential provisions. It is time the provincial administration is restructured to accord with devolution. Madam Temporary Speaker, I want to make reference to the establishment of the village administration. I will tell you why I am emphatic about village administration as an aspect of devolution. Clause 52 (1) (2) and (3) on page 495 of this Bill reads:- “(1) There is established the office of the village administrator for each village and unit established in a county. (2) A village administrator shall have professional qualification and technical knowledge in administration and shall be appointed by the County Public Service Board in accordance with this Act. 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"
}