http://www.standardmedia...00017838&cid=4&

Confusion and uncertainty has tightened its grip on the over 10,000 State officials in the Provincial Administration over their fate once their positions are scrapped.

Our chief and a family friend told me of his stress the feeling of betrayal by their employer and the humilition there are being taken through by mama pima na walevi wa changaa.I think this is the feeling across including PCs,DCs,and DOs.

Could the statement by Mutito MP Kiema Kilonzo "It is only a fool who prepares his sacking letter and signs it." be taunting them ? ama they didnt have a choice...

Let the truth be told.

The whole provincial administration was under the office of the president which was the real essence of centralisation of power. When people talked about the power of the president being too much they actually meant the structure and function of this all pervasive system that ran from the highest places to the lowest mashinani. Everywhere you saw a chief, DO, DC or PC he/she was the representative of the president and served at his pleasure.

If you doubt this please see the clip by Martin Shikuku on this video (play from 22:10):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaeUMjGTuuA


The chief, DO, DC et al though they were with the wananchi at the grassroots they were serving their boss in Nairobi. What devolution means is this; that the centre of power shifts from Nairobi and comes closer to the people. Since it has been decided that the unit of local government is the county what I presume should happen is that once the people elect the governor then all the local administration units will proceed from him. He will be the mini president of the county. He may choose to hire the same chiefs but if he is to be the chief executive as he should be he doesn't have to. I think the government should tell these people the truth that they might be reassigned for now but their future will be determined by each county. The smart ones should start warming up to the local leaders who are the front runners for governors in their respective counties because even they would need the help of someone well versed in matters of administration when they are in power. Mutua, the president or the central government will not save them. They will be at the mercy of the mwananchi and the governors the mwananchi elects.