BY BMJ MURIITHI
Former Kenya’s head of Civil Service and Secretary to the Cabinet who is the current governor of Nyandarua County, Francis Kimemia, has told the Voice of America (VOA) that contrary to a position taken by some naysayers, the devolved system of government is fast transforming Kenya in a myriad ways.
During an interview at VOA’s headquarters in Washington DC Thursday, Kimemia hailed the “good relations between Kenya and the US,” as well as the assistance extended by the latter over the years to the East African nation in support of good governance.
“I am very proud of the role I played in ensuring that the constitution was changed to pave way for the county system of governance,” he said. Kimemia also spoke on several topical issues, including Corruption, national reconciliation and eviction of Kenyans from Mau Forest, Kibera and other areas.
Earlier in the day, he was a guest at an online live-streaming event organised by Voice of America’s Student Union, an online community and news site for international students who study or wish to study in the United States.
Kimemia was among Kenyan Governors, their deputies and Senators who attended this year’s annual United States National Governors Association (NGA) Summer session in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Watch the Full interview here:
23 Kenyan governors, several senators and other government officials joined the general secretary of German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s ruling party, the Chinese and Japanese ambassadors to the United States, and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s national security adviser, who also attended the event.
International leaders talked about the relationship between sub-national governments and the federal government. Speakers included the governor of Kenya’s Turkana County, Josphat Nanok – who is also the Chairman og Council of Governors in Kenya, as well the general secretary of Germany’s Christian Democratic Party.
NGA is an organization consisting of the Governors of the states, territories and commonwealths of the United States which acts as a collective voice for Governors on matters of national policy, as well as allowing governors to share best practices and coordinate inter-state initiatives.
Former head of Kenyan Civil Service and Secretary to the Cabinet, who is the current Governor, Nyandarua County, Francis Kimemia during the interview at VOA Studios in Washington DC. PHOTO/VOA
This year’s attendees held discussions on international development and diplomacy.
Later, the Council of Governors Peace Committee held a meeting with the National Democratic Institute in Washington DC, where they discussed possible areas of partnerships and support for peace and reconciliation efforts.
The Kenyan delegation also visited several US Cities, including Dallas, Texas, where a number of governors attended a Diaspora Conference organized by Kenya Diaspora Advisory Council.
Voice of America is the U.S.’s largest international broadcaster, reaching 236.8 million people weekly in more than 40 languages. For more information, you can visit our website.
