The Chief Justice Hon. Lady Martha Koome has today urged the new members of the Commission on Revenue Allocation to keep in mind Kenya’s history of marginalisation as they take on the task of ensuring equitable sharing of national resources.
“In your hands now lies the protection and realisation of one of the most transformative features of the 2010 Constitution: devolved governance… You must therefore strive to work towards making ours a socially just state and society,” she said.
The new members who took their oath of office are Benedict Muasya Mutiso, Wilfred Koitamet Olekina Nchoshoi, Hon. Fatuma Gedi Ali, Dr. Jalang’o Midiwo, Ms. Hadija Juma, Dr. Isabel Nyambura Waiyaki, Mr. Jonas Misto Vincent Kuko, and Dr. Chris Kiptoo (PS, The National Treasury). These members were appointed by H.E President William Ruto in the Gazette Notice No. 15376 to serve for a period of six years.
While welcoming the new members of the Commission, the outgoing CRA Chairperson Dr. Jane Kiringai urged the new Commissioners to cultivate good stakeholder relationships, including the National Treasury and the two houses of Parliament to succeed in executing their mandate.
“Sharing of revenue is very technical but also a highly political process. You must strike a very good balance between the two and have a very competent Secretariat to support you. What matters most is how you will interact with the Senate and National Assembly. Ultimately, you will make very technical and solid recommendations but you have to convince them to adopt those recommendations. The Council of Governors also matters a lot because they are the recipients of the funds shared. She further encouraged the Commissioners to strategize and negotiate with the National Executive, Council of Governors, and other key stakeholders while maintaining the Commission’s objectivity and independence,” she said.
While swearing in the eight new Commissioners at the Supreme Court Offices, the CJ further advised them to stick to their oath and never depart from the law in executing their mandate.
The new team is to serve from January 2023 to December 2028 and take over from the second group of commissioners who served from January 2017 – December 2022.
The new members take over from the second group of commissioners – Humphrey Wattanga (Vice-Chairperson), Prof. Peter Kimuyu, Fouzia Abdikadir, Kishanto ole Suuji, Dr. Irene Asienga, Peter Gachuba and Dr. Julius Muia whose term of service ended on December 31, 2022. The term of the current Chairperson, Dr. Jane Kiringai, expires at the end of February 2023.