Written By Ramadhan Kambi  📝
Focused on overall objective of ensuring the success of devolution, the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee (IGRTC) is calling for support to make it a realization.Â
Documenting the committee’s achievements, Acting Chairperson John Burugu said his committee continues to create a conducive environment for the success of the devolved system of governance in line with its mandate as established pursuant to section II of the intergovernmental Act, 2012.
IGRTC Member and chair of the Audit and Risk management thematic area Perminus Ndimitu said valuation and transfer of assets, which the organization is currently undertaking, is key in public finance management.
IGRTC has up to date facilitated the convening of 8 ordinary meetings and 6 Extra Ordinary meetings of the Summit with IGRTC continually undertaking the implementation of resolutions of the Summit.
As per its mandate, as espoused in Section 12 (b) of the Act, IGRTC also took over the residual functions of the Transition Authority upon its dissolution on 4th March, 2016. In this regard, IGRTC was tasked with preparing inventories of assets and liabilities of government, other public entities and local authorities.
According to Burugu, IGRTC has undertaken the said exercise in three phases.
Phase One (2016-2018) – Completion of identification, verification, validation of assets and liabilities of defunct 175 local authorities. IGRTC has prepared and disseminated registers of all assets and liabilities of the defunct local authorities.
Phase Two (2019- 2020) – Completion of identification, verification, validation of assets and liabilities of national government relating to devolved functions. IGRTC has prepared and disseminated registers of all assets and liabilities of the national government relating to devolved functions.
Phase Three (2021- 2022) – Valuation and transfer to county governments, of all assets of the defunct local authorities and assets of the national government relating to devolved functions.
Phase Four which involves the identification, verification, validation of assets and liabilities of parastatals and semi-autonomous agencies among other functions is pending
The committee has successfully unbundled transfer of museums function, transfer of library function, disaster management function, transfer of joint loans board scheme to counties, betting licensing and other forms of gambling as well as transfer of water and agriculture sector.
The committee has also registered success in the closure and transfer of public records, convened county secretaries meeting and the resolution of intergovernmental disputes in accordance with its mandate under article 189(3) and (4) of the constitution as read with sections 30-34 of the intergovernmental relations Act 2012 through alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.
To date, IGRTC has successfully resolved 9 inter-governmental disputes and is currently handling 13 ongoing disputes.
The functions pending unbundling and delineation include tourism, energy, regional development authorities, mining and county public service boards.
Burugu says IGRTC is proud of the achievements made so far, but is cognizant of the fact that more needs to be done.Â
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