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Wajir county assumes control of National Library in devolution transition

Governor Ahmed Abdullahi and the delegation display the transfer agreement. (Governor Press)

By Issa Hussein | Tuesday, March 26, 2024

The governor marked the beginning of the process to identify and validate museum assets, initiating the crucial phase of transferring their management

The Wajir National Library was officially transferred to the Wajir County Government on Tuesday as part of the National Government's initiative to transfer 61 libraries to counties.

A delegation from the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee (IGRTC), along with representatives from the National Museums of Kenya and Kenya National Library Services, visited Wajir to engage Governor Ahmed Abdullahi on the transfer of assets.

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The governor, welcoming the team led by IGRTC Vice Chairman Saadia Kontoma, marked the beginning of the process to identify and validate museum assets, initiating the crucial phase of transferring management from the National Government to the Wajir County Government.

"We have successfully completed the transfer of library personnel files and records for 33 staff members from Kenya National Library Services to Wajir County," said the governor, confirming the transfer was formalized through the signing of an Intergovernmental Partnership Agreement (IPA).

Last month, Githinji Kiragu, Chairperson of the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee, announced the National Government's completion of plans to transfer 61 libraries to county governments. He stated that assets worth millions of shillings, library staff, their files, and a budget of Sh425 million for salaries were released by the state.

Additionally, Ummi Bashir, Principal Secretary for Culture and Heritage, disclosed that a total of 25 museums, national monuments, and gazetted sites, including those in Kisumu, Isiolo, Narok, Garissa, and Marsabit, are slated for transfer to county governments.

However, she clarified that UNESCO heritage sites such as Fort Jesus would not be affected by the devolution of functions.

The transfer of national libraries and museums marks a significant step in the decentralization of devolved functions previously under the National Government's jurisdiction.