DEVOLVED GOVERNANCE AND LEADERSHIP IN PASTORAL REGIONS IN KENYA

Abstract

The new Kenyan constitution introduced new social, economic and political opportunities for Kenyans. Devolution is the most transformative provision with profound effects on governance system, the manner in which services will be rendered, because all the sovereign power belongs to the people of Kenya. The sovereign power of the people is exercised at national and county levels which will lead to pastoralists enjoy the sovereignty as “people of Kenya”. The problem is will the national and county governments recognize the right of the communities to manage their own affairs and further their developments? How will the interests of the pastoralists be protected in devolved governance? Since over the years, pastoralists have suffered marginalization by governments of Kenyatta,Moi and Kibaki and feel excluded from the mainstream development agenda of the country. The objective of the research is to study how existing institutions to oversee the implementation of constitutional provisions including the rights of pastoralists are protected and promoted. It will adopt descriptive analytical study of the empirical data. The findings will be significant for self governance and participation of the people in the exercise of the powers of the state and in making decisions affecting them. It is concluded there is little investment in such areas and hunger, conflict and abject poverty have defined and persisted in their existence. This is what is expected to be addressed with devolution and their leaders to be in forefront to uplift themselves from the sad moments in the previous governments to albeit progressivism. It recommends raise their own revenues and receive revenues from national government and appropriately plan; budget; implement; monitor and make their own laws and policies. Ensuring diversity in employment, because pastoralists who may be minorities in some counties may get a chance to be recruited and where they will majority will also benefit; equalization fund, allocation will boost revenue base and used for good projects and if the money is used prudently will certainly contribute to development of basic services in those areas.