Murang’a assembly adopts a report on recommendations made by delegates from a visit to Singapore

Murang’a

Thursday, August 3,

KNA by: Purity Mugo

A delegation of Murang’a County Assembly members who visited Singapore for a leadership training program want the county government to formulate policies for consideration by the Assembly that are centered around fostering economic growth and attracting domestic and foreign investment in the county.

In a report tabled in the House by MCA for Ichagaki Hilary Muchoki, the delegates visited Singapore with the intention of learning the best practices aimed at stimulating unique and innovative thought processes and thus policies to improve the economy and development status of the county.

Muchoki said that at independence (1963) Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was $926 million while Singapore’s GDP was $917.2 milllion which shows that Kenya's GDP was higher comparatively.

However, Muchoki noted that in 2022, Singapore’s GDP was approximately six times that of Kenya.

“In 2022, Singapore’s GDP was $662 billion compared to Kenya’s $117 billion,” he observed.

According to the report the tremendous growth in the economy of Singapore is majorly attributed to transformational leadership devoid of corruption.

“Effective leadership can transform a small nation into an economic powerhouse and model of urban development,” he said, adding that the country has been guided by leaders who had the audacity to implement ground-breaking policies.

The report also attributed the economic transformation of Singapore to proper urban planning and housing, political stability and succession planning, adaptation to global challenges, multi culture and social cohesion among others.

MCA for Ithanga ward, Alex Ndunda while supporting the adoption of the report called upon all county leaders to come together and utilize the knowledge acquired through such visits by delegates for the benefit of the entire county.

“Learning within policies and practices over time enable the county to alter its policies to be able to respond to challenges that facilitates transition from a devolving to a developed county,” said Ndunda.

MCA for Kahumbu Chefman Njoroge while supporting the motion challenged the county government through the various committees to implement the recommendations listed in the report.

“It is imperative to implement these recommendations so that our country can grow like Singapore” Njoroge said, adding that that is the only way to ensure the county really benefited from such delegations.

The report recommended that the county government instill a culture of anti-corruption that entails effective and all-encompassing anti-corruption legislation as well as an effective independent system that punishes corrupt practices adequately.

Further, in the light of eminent challenges posed by climate change the county leadership should endeavor to adopt a more flexible water management system to address emerging risks

The report also recommended that the county assembly should focus on a comprehensive, integrated management approach in execution of development programs so as to provide the active test bed for new ideas and the ability to implement them.

Other recommendations include development of policies of keeping the county public service jobs economically competitive which would ensure that the county government is able to hire and retain professional staff hence reduce chance of public sector workers resulting to corruption

In addition, the County government embraces visionary, strategic and dedicated transformative leadership that guarantees the public a decent and quality life as guaranteed by the constitution.

Courtesy ; K. N. A