Slovak experts to share knowledge on devolution with county leaders

Outgoing Slovak ambassador Michal Mlynar (centre) during a farewell dinner in his honour at a Nairobi hotel on July 29, 2015. PHOTO | GERALD ANDERSON | NATION MEDIA GROUP 

By NGARE KARIUKI
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Devolution experts from Slovakia will visit the country in September to share knowledge and experience with county leaders.

Outgoing Ambassador for Slovak Republic Michal Mlynar said Kenya was the biggest beneficiary of Slovak aid.

This was the reason he had been actively involved in county development projects in the three years he has been in the country, he said.

“Since 1996, when bilateral relations between our two nations began, Slovak organisations and institutions have fallen in love with the people of Kenya,” he said on Wednesday, at a farewell dinner held in his honour by the Council of Governors (COG).

He said his country had partnered with different county governments in the areas of health, education, agriculture, infrastructure and water.

“The group of experts that we will be sending in a month or so will interact with you on important issues concerning devolution, such as financing and transfer of competencies,” he said.

COUNTY PROJECTS

COG chairman Peter Munya said the Slovak Republic has given more than a million Euros to fund various county development projects.

These include development projects such as providing over 200 computers with internet connections to schools in Taita Taveta, setting up a safe home for street children in Nairobi, and supporting small-scale farmers in Lamu and Nakuru counties.

The counties in which the Slovak Republic has invested in development include Kilifi, Nairobi, Taita Taveta, Siaya, Busia, Machakos, Kajiado, Uasin Gishu, Kisumu and Nakuru.

Mr Munya lauded the Slovakian government and expressed optimism that bilateral relations between the two countries would continue for years to come.

Earlier in the day, the ambassador visited Cord leader Raila Odinga and invited him to visit Slovakia to see how devolution was being implemented.

On Tuesday, Deputy President William Ruto met with Mr Mlynar to discuss how the two countries could share knowledge and experiences touching on devolution, health and agriculture.

MARGINALISED AREAS

“The Slovak Republic has applauded the steps taken by the Kenyan Government in the implementation of devolution and developing marginalised areas,” the Deputy President posted on his Facebook page after the meeting.

Mr Mlynar commended devolution in Kenya for taking development to the marginalised areas of the country and benefitting the rural population.

“Slovakia is impressed by the manner in which Kenya is successfully handling issues pertaining to devolution. Experts from my country will soon visit Kenya to get competencies on how issues of devolution are working well for this country,” he said.