Fate of Regional Authorities hangs in balance after review order

The fate of several regional authorities is hanging in the balance after President William Ruto's cabinet resolved to review their mandate in accordance with devolved roles.

This means that the authorities that employ thousands and have directors could have their roles returned to devolved units or adjusted to fit into the national government.

A dispatch from the cabinet indicates that with the constitutional two levels of government, the Cabinet said, the review should assess the impact and effectiveness of the six regional authorities.

"The regional authorities are Tana and Athi Rivers Development Authority, Kerio Valley Development Authority, Lake Basin Development Authority, Ewaso Nyiro North Development Authority, Ewaso Nyiro South Development Authority and the Coast Development Authority," read part of the dispatch.

At a meeting at State House Nairobi on Thursday, the Cabinet also approved the Livestock Bill 2023. The proposed law provides for a regulatory framework in the livestock sector, giving priority to the dairy, leather and meat value chains.

Save for veterinary inspection, the Cabinet noted, the meat industry is largely unregulated, a gap that the proposed law will now close.

The livestock value chain provides huge opportunities for farmers and investors because Kenya has one of the largest livestock populations in Africa.

The livestock comprises 18 million cattle, 28 million goats, 17 million sheep and three million camels. Others are 32 million domestic birds and two million donkeys.

Commercial farming

The Cabinet, too, gave a nod to the National Agricultural Mechanisation Policy that seeks to enhance productivity and production. The policy will also improve agricultural efficiency and offer incentives for large-scale commercial farming.

"It will also promote public-private partnerships in the delivery of agricultural mechanisation services and promote training in this critical enabler in farming.

In line with Kenya Kwanza's commitment to transparent fiscal management, the Cabinet approved a new method of accounting in government. The current Cash Basis of Accounting will be replaced by Accrual Basis of Accounting in three years' time."

The change in accounting was recommended by the National Treasury and the Public Sector Accounting Standards Board.

Cash Basis of Accounting is a method in which receipts or payments are recorded when actual cash is received or paid. This method, therefore, does not include critical information for enhancing accountability.

On the flip side, the Accrual Basis of Accounting is a method in which revenue or expenses are recorded when a transaction occurs. This method enhances reporting on liabilities, pending bills and other liabilities.

The change has become necessary, Cabinet said, because of increased pending bills, stalled and delayed government development projects.

The National Policy on Linking Industry to Education, Training and Research was also approved. This policy, Cabinet resolved, will address the weak links between the world of work, schooling and training, and between industry and research.

Other policies and programmes approved by the Cabinet include; Gazettement of the Morendat Institute of Oil and Gas as a National Polytechnic, Kenya's Accession to the 2001 Unesco Convention to the Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage, MOU Between the ICT ministry and the Israeli National Cyber Directorate, MOU Between Kenya and UAE on Defence Cooperation, MOU Between Kenya and Mozambique on Defence Cooperation, MOU Between Kenya and the Netherlands on Defence Cooperation and Establishment of the Digital Media City Project at Konza Technopolis.