President William Ruto has nominated seven people to join the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee (IGRTC), setting the stage for the reconstitution of the agency tasked with strengthening cooperation between the national government and the 47 county governments.
The nominations were announced on Tuesday in a statement from the Executive Office of the President and have been forwarded to the National and County Government Coordinating Summit for ratification as required under the Intergovernmental Relations Act.
"The Head of State and Government has nominated the following persons for appointment as members of the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee (IGRTC), subject to ratification by the National and County Government Co-ordinating Summit in accordance with the Intergovernmental Relations Act," the statement said.
Those nominated are Wilson Kuria Thuita from Murang'a, Silvya C. Apaa from Busia, Ahmed Kanyara Bishar from Wajir, Pascalyne Ntang'enoi Kimiriri from Laikipia, Ken Riaga from Migori, Evalyn Chepkirui Aruasa from Nakuru and Mary Nanjala Kilobi from Nairobi.
The IGRTC is established under the Intergovernmental Relations Act, 2012, and plays a central role in supporting Kenya's devolved system of government. It facilitates consultation, coordination and cooperation between the national government and county governments, as well as among the counties themselves.
The committee also serves as the secretariat to the National and County Governments Coordinating Summit and the Council of Governors, supporting the day-to-day work of the two institutions and following up on the implementation of their decisions.
Its responsibilities include promoting the resolution of disputes between the two levels of government, coordinating sector working groups, convening meetings of county secretaries before Summit meetings and supporting the implementation of joint policies involving both the national and county governments.
In addition, the committee took over the remaining responsibilities of the former Transition Authority after it was dissolved, including overseeing pending aspects of the transfer of devolved functions to county governments.
The nominations are part of a broader round of appointments and redeployments announced by President Ruto on Tuesday to fill positions in constitutional commissions, statutory bodies and other institutions within the Executive.