The Council of Governors, in partnership with UN Women held the County Executives Devolution Conference in Kericho on 5^th and 6^th December 2016. The Conference aimed at enhancing understanding of devolution as a system of governance hinged on public accountability; highlighting progress and gains of devolution; and creating learning opportunities om accelerating socio economic development and service delivery. Notably, the conference discussed how devolution has been a tool for socio-economic integration in the country in promoting equity and inclusivity including implementation of the two thirds gender principle and gender responsive budgeting.

The highlight of the conference came in the form on a panel discussion on Education, Gender, Youth and Culture which aimed at taking stock of implementation of equitable representation, promotion of marginalized groups and gender responsive budgeting. The session was moderated by Pamela Kiarie (CEC- Administration & ICT, Embu County & Secretary- CECs Council). Panelists included: Mr. Protus Onyango (Director of Gender, MoPSYGA); Dr Florence Nyokabi (Commissioner, NGEC);Dr. Robert Simiyu (Team Leader, UN Women); Ms. Sunita Kapila (World Bank).

Key resolutions from the session included: the need to initiate tangible programmes that effectively integrate gender mainstreaming for youth and women in the education and agricultural sector, and apply gender responsive budgeting (GRB) in the whole planning and budget cycle as a tool; the need to enhance inclusivity in the electoral process by enhancing participation of youth, women and people living with disabilities; and the need to improve collection and used of gender disaggregated data to inform evidence based planning and budgeting, monitoring & evaluation and performance management systems at county level.

As far as the agricultural sector is concerned, county governments were tasked to increase budget allocation for to support extension, research, dissemination of research information for use by farmers as part of addressing food security gaps, while catalyzing value addition on agriculture products to create jobs particularly for women and youth. Counties also committed to streamline and enhance the role out of 30% public procurement opportunities for women, youth and people with disabilities and provide uptake statistics.