Looks like u are actually reading from a text book description of the functions of a chief ready to sit for a history examination. Things are quite different on the ground radio. A chief's work is to actually extort money from widows who want to access their husband's pension monies and want to have them sign some forms. there is so much much more evil this chief's do. By the way, is the chief's office an alternative court and the chief an alternative judge and are the chief's judgements binding in terms of laws of kenya?

kenyans are an awefully confused sorry lot. wazuans castigate politicians daily, but here we are ati we leave security matters with county govts. haha we are a veeeery confused society. I trust the dc n his men more than the governer n his kanjoras

The 'installation' of the chief was a resultant of political forces at a certain time. But now we should not simply say whether chiefs should go or not, but we should also interrogate the political context and the roles needed to be played by government at the smallest administrative unit.

One may argue that we are not an advanced country, but he will not be aiding his argument, for the facts of history are showing otherwise. We certainly have more educated citizens than we had in 1963. And besides, we do not need even a half of the citizenry to be 'enlightened' to create enlightened systems.

What kinds of conflict are we going to experience in the villages? Are villages the same as estates? Besides is an urban slum equal to a village?

What kind of leadership is the chief providing? Is it 'pro-people' or is it pro-government? For example, most leaders look at insecurity as a problem brought about by the youth. Is such a view acceptable?

I am finding it very difficult to call for the retention of chiefs. It is expected that if chiefs will protest about these changes but it is up to the leadership of the day to 'manage' this matter.

But look now, if we are so afraid of changing the village, can we change the state?

They don't have to be called chiefs or provincial admin, their roles could be redefined. Who for instance will coordinate security at the local level? Who will issue IDs etc. Their role is critical, we shouldn't just say they need to go because the new katiba does not have a role for provincial admin. The problem with us is we never think through decisions.

THEY SHOULD GO