BUSIA-Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has advocated for leveraging on technology and data to improve service delivery in counties.
Mudavadi said for counties to harness more through their economic planning and national to county integration, embracing technology and having timely, accurate and verifiable data remains key.
He noted the digitization of public financial management processes within counties to be an enabler in real-time tracking, enhanced supply chain management, and improved decision-making through data mining and analytics.
“Let us work towards moving quicker with technology. For us to close corruption holes, do away with mismanagement and pilferage we must embrace technology. We have to find a way into the new digital world. I agree some counties are moving on well but in others much has to be done.” said Mudavadi.
“In data mining, you mine what is valuable. You don’t go and mine what is worthless.” he added.
Mudavadi pointed out at the recent roll-out of e-procurement as an example saying counties like Samburu are leading by example with systems having been put in place.
He challenged counties that are yet to embrace the use of technology to automate and streamline business procurement processes, such as sourcing, bidding, purchasing, and invoicing to follow suit.
Mudaavdi was speaking in Busia county when he presided over the launch of the capacity building programme for county governments on economic planning and strengthening national – county integration mechanisms.
“Perhaps treasury should provide some data and information on which counties are doing well in moving forward with electronic procurement and which ones are not. This should act as a peer review platform for counties to learn from each other and compare with what others are doing. This will help us to know if we are sitting well or not.” poised Mudavadi.
The Prime CS challenged the National Government Administrative Officers (NGAOs) to seize the week-long opportunity within their respective counties during the capacity building workshops and stand out to be counted as key contributors in the national and county economic planning cadres.
He encouraged the officer to be critical players in data mining and verification for purposes of proper planning both at national and county levels as they are crucial grassroots government officials responsible for implementing national policies and programs and coordinating development at the local level.
“Politicians at times have been saying there is no need for NGAO, and now I am challenging our NGAO teams that you must find your own space and relevance. People will take you seriously when they know you have something of value. To the NGAO team (Assistant Chiefs, Chiefs, Assistant County Commissioners, Deputy County Commissioners, County Commissioners and Regional Commissioners), you can turn yourselves into a mega resource by ensuring that you are a primary source of data.” said Mudavadi
“Get yourselves credible and hygienic data, and everybody will be looking for you, and the political clarion that keep saying that we can do away with these people, they start thinking twice, because you will be standing out as a crucial data centre. I urge you to convert yourselves into data centres with valuable information that will help the country plan and this is where your relevance is going to be anchored.” he emphasized.” he added.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary further warned counties against harming both local and foreign investors at county levels.
He said such incidents damage bilateral relations with foreign partners and erode investor confidence both locally and internationally.
Mudavadi, also the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs said foreign investments just like local investments in our respective counties must be properly safeguarded.
“We want to woo investors. As counties in the planning process make sure that your records are accurate, make sure your land tenure systems are accurate and up to date.
Get information that is clear on what is the lead time for an investor who wants to set up a factory and the time you give the investor clearance and all the requirements for him/her to set up the factory. Does it take 3 years, does it take 5 years depending on how it varies from county to county.” Noted Mudavadi.
“We must figure out what are we doing ourselves to provide the right environment that will act as a magnate for investors who want to come our respective counties. Don’t be hostile to investors, previously I have given an example of one county where an investor was a victim of local politics that led to the destruction of his hotel industry investment.” Mudavadi regretted.
Adding that “The investor moved to court, the courts ruled in his favour awarding compensation for breach of contract and unlawful eviction. The locals couldn’t manage to pay thus creating a national crisis and now treasury is bearing the brunt and carrying the burden to pay the bill to the French investor who was chased away by very petty local politics. Now it has escalated to become a national issue of concern between Kenya and France.”
Previously Mudavadi has been quoted saying that competition for Foreign Direct Investment is absolutely essential for investment, employment and revenue growth.
“Please treat investors with dignity, obey the law and follow the laid regulations by your respective counties for us to attract investment and economic growth.” Said Mudavadi.
Mudavadi said it is time relevant stakeholders relook at the model governing the inter-border trade relations especially for counties that sit within the territorial borders with our trading neighbouring countries like Uganda.
“Uganda is our largest trading partner in the region but Busia, Migori and Bungoma actually benefit least on the revenues that emerge from such partnerships. We need to see how to improve on such arrangements that will give enhanced trade benefits.” noted the Prime CS.
Mudavadi acknowledged that the national government under President Ruto’s administration has really stepped up in remitting the monies for county governments under the framework of the shared revenue as governed by the Commission on Revenue Allocation.
“Right now, it is only September that is pending, and treasury has assured county governments that the long-protracted delays are soon coming to an end with the September tranche expected to be released next week.” noted the Prime CS.
However, Mudavadi who once served as the Minister for Local Government and also as Minister for Finance in the previous regimes, cautioned county governments that are
“The true strength of devolution in our counties will actually manifest the day counties will be raising more from their own source revenue than that which they expect from the national government. That is where the true independence of counties will come from.” he remarked.
“The truth of the matter shows several counties have abandoned working on their own source revenues. They are now becoming totally dependent on the national share. The question is who is undermining the independence of counties? Is it the national government or is it those in counties who have decided to slacken on their own source revenue collection aspect?
The data is there with the Commission of Revenue Allocation, it is a public document, and you will realise that the percentage of own source revenue that is there, in some instances, has become less than even what used to be collected when they were councils. It will reach a stage where, he who pays the piper calls the tune, so county governments should pull up their socks.” warned Mudavadi.
Mudavadi said the national government is taking a vital step in renewing its commitment to closely support and work with county governments in the transformation journey for a more prosperous Kenya.
