Uasin Gishu all set to hold 8th Devolution Conference 2023
-The theme of the conference is ‘10 Years of devolution-
Devolution steering committee, led by the chairperson, Governor H.E Ahmed Abdullahi inspecting a guard of honour mounted by the Uasin Gishu enforcement officers
The Council of Governors (CoG) will hold the 8th Devolution Conference 2023 from 15th-19th August 2023 in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County.
The theme of the conference is ‘10 Years of devolution: The Present and the Future’ and the sub-theme: Driving Transformation from the local level: County Governments as the Centre of economic development.
On Tuesday Uasin Gishu governor Jonathan Bii Chelilim Received the Devolution steering committee, led by the chairperson, Governor H.E Ahmed Abdullahi , who also doubles up as the vice chair of the Council of Governors-Kenya .
The team which also included Senator Margaret Kamar, COG Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mary Mwiti and other officials toured various facilities within Eldoret expected to host this year’s first biennial Devolution Conference set for August this year.
This year’s conference seeks to reflect on the last 10 years of devolution and explore locally and internationally recognized methodologies for strengthening systems to enhance transformational service delivery in Counties.
“The Conference will bring together local and international delegates to discuss, learn and share best practices on pertinent issues affecting sub-national governments and provide trade and investment opportunities for communities in Uasin Gishu and the neighboring Counties. We urge all stakeholders including members of the public to participate in the upcoming Conference,” noted the CoG Chair H.E. Anne Waiguru while addressing members of the press.
Over the last 9 years, the Council of Governors in collaboration with other devolution stakeholders, has hosted (7) Devolution Conferences across the Country with the previous Conferences being held in Kwale, Kisumu, Meru, Nakuru, Kakamega, Kirinyaga, and Makueni Counties.
In line with the resolutions arising from the 6th Devolution Conference, it was agreed that the conferences would be hosted after every two years to allow sufficient time for partners to fully implement the resolutions that emanate from the conferences.
This year’s Devolution Conference will include a wide array of pre-conference activities. In appreciation of the need to elevate children’s voices in governance and development, the planning committee has organized a Children’s Conference to be held from 3rd to 7th July 2023 in Kiambu County under the Theme: Empowering young voices: A Decade of Devolution and the future of Children in Kenya.
Further, there will be various sports activities including a marathon which will be held on 15th August 2023 at the Kipchoge Keino Stadium. This is aimed at showcasing the sports prowess in Uasin Gishu, particularly in athletics, and promoting local talents from the grassroots.
As part of the Devolution Conference, the Council of Governors will hold the Devolution Warrior Awards. The awards are aimed at recognizing and celebrating the efforts of individuals and institutions that have shown exemplary performance in promoting, protecting and championing devolution in Kenya. These awards are held after every 5 years, with the inaugural awards having been held during the 4th Annual Devolution Conference in 2017.
In addition, the Conference will feature rich panel discussions and break-out sessions that seek to address some of the key challenges affecting various sectors and emerging issues such as peace and security.
In view of the above, the Council of Governors in partnership with Safaricom on 2nd May 2023, launched the online registration for delegates and exhibitors for the Conference.
You can now register for the Biennial Devolution Conference 2023 by visiting the conference website www.devolutionconference.cog.go.ke or www.cog.go.ke
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