Kenyan governors have been urged to use public resources prudently to achieve the objectives and dreams of devolution architect Dr Chrispin Odhiambo Mbai.

Dr Mbai, a former University of Nairobi don, is remembered for developing the concept of devolution in Kenya. He was killed in September 2003 over his efforts to introduce devolution in the country.

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Speaking during his 23rd anniversary at Dr Mbai Secondary School in Homa Bay Town Constituency, leaders raised concerns over the alleged misappropriation of public funds and misplaced priorities in county governments.

They said poor management of resources was denying citizens the services they deserve.

Kisumu Deputy Governor Mathews Owili, Homa Bay Woman Representative Joyce Osogo, former Homa Bay County Secretary Isaiah Ogwe, Prof Addams Oloo, Sport Kenya Director Omburo Odaje, former MCA Lorna Owino and Homa Bay politician Moline Ngala said devolution should be implemented in a manner that transforms citizens’ lives.

Owili said Kenyans would not reap the full benefits of devolution if the interests of citizens were not prioritised.

He said county government leaders who fail to abide by the Constitution when implementing devolution deny citizens essential services.

“Leaders working in county governments should focus on the real service delivery to the people. That is the best way we’ll remember and achieve dreams of Dr Mbai,” Owili said.

Speaking during the 23rd anniversary-cum-fundraiser at Dr Odhiambo Mbai Secondary School, the deputy governor said Dr Mbai’s main dream was to create a system of government that improves people’s lives.

He challenged county government leaders to ensure proper service delivery to citizens.

Owili urged county governments to provide devolved services, including water, health and education, satisfactorily.

“Unless we provide all devolved services appropriately as county governments’ leaders, we will still have Dr Mbai’s debt in his grave. I am happy that many steps have been made since devolution began,” he said.

Ogwe said devolution was a good system of governance, but Kenyans were failing to reap its benefits because of poor leadership.

He said Dr Mbai developed a concept that could enable serious economic development and empower citizens, but this could only be achieved through good leadership.

“Devolution is a good system that can enable many Kenyans to change their lives. But people can only fail to get good services if they have bad elected leaders,” Ogwe said.

Ogwe, who is also a former Homa Bay County Secretary, emphasised that Kenyans should not take the constitutional chapter on devolution for granted.

“Let Kenyans be serious with devolution as envisaged in the constitution and elect good leaders who can serve the people appropriately and effectively,” he said.

Ngala questioned the manner in which devolution was being implemented in some Nyanza counties.

She said prudent utilisation of public resources could help devolution transform people’s lives.

“We can’t say here that devolution is being implemented appropriately especially in Luo Nyanza counties. We can’t erect bodaboda shades and boast around that devolution is working,” Ngala said.

Prof Oloo condemned what he described as increasing corruption in county governments.

“Devolution has changed many parts of Kenya where it is implemented well. But the corruption we witness in most counties is very bad and that is not what Dr Mbai and his constitutional committee aspired for,” Prof Oloo said.

Owino called for the approval of bills that support the economic growth of counties.