Panelists drawn from the business and government today met at the Intercontinental Hotel for the Annual Devolution Conference for BMOs to take stock of devolution one year down.
Kiprono Kittony, the Chairman of Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) gave the opening remarks by asking counties to look at their Finance bills which are not attractive to investors. "Counties risk becoming centres of 'tax and spend'" he said, adding that as nerve centres for economic development, there was need to attract investments not chase them away. He called for counties to rethink their budgeting process and work on incentives and other friendly policies that will attract investors.
The panel drawn from the business side included representatives from Shippers Council of East Africa (SCEA), Kenya Association of Manufacturers, ICPAK, Petroleum Institute of East Africa (PIEA), Kenya Livestock Management Council (KLMC), KENAFF, KNCCI, Kenya Tourism Federation (KTF) and Kenya Flower Council (KFC).
From the Government side, representatives were drawn from CIC, CRA, Ministry of Devolution and Planning, County Assembly Speakers Forum, Senate, Council of Governors. Senator Kipchumba Murkomen called for more involvement in the County Development Boards which were set up so that both arms of government in the county work together. However other panelists disagreed with him saying that County Development Boards don't need a big brother to tell them what to do.
Abraham Rugo, an expert on devolution moderated the business panel while Wallace Kantai from NTV moderated the Government panel.
Phyllis Wakiaga, the head of the Policy and Research Unit (PRAU) summarised the recommendations of the conference by asking that County Finance Bills are well prepared.