New team to take over from transition agency

By FRANCIS MUTHII

A new devolution committee is set to succeed the Transition Authority.
Devolution Cabinet Secretary Ann Waiguru unveiled the 10-member intergovernmental relations technical committee on Friday March 6.
The new team is responsible for coordinating activities of the Summit headed by President Uhuru Kenyatta and also comprises the Council of Governors. It will ensure a good working relationship between the national and county governments.
The committee will be chaired by Prof Karega Mutahi, the former Education permanent secretary.
“This committee will oversee the shifting of any functions that would not have been completed by the TA whose mandate ends in a year’s time and is not renewable,” Ms Waiguru said.
The authority, which is mandated to oversee transfer of functions and resources from central government to the county governments protested the formation of the committee.
Council of Governors spokesman Barrack Muluka, however, supported the decision.
There have been concerns that the new committee might replicate the roles of the Transition Authority.
But Ms Waiguru said the TA will stick to ensuring a smooth transition while the Mutahi-led commission will implement the summit and Council of Governors’decisions.
She said the county bosses had been involved in the decision.