Michael Lenasalon, the Principal Secretary nominee for the State Department for Devolution, has vowed to fight corruption and strengthen collaboration among key stakeholders in the devolution sector to improve service delivery across Kenya. Appearing before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Regional Development for his vetting, Lenasalon outlined his vision for enhancing accountability and transparency in county governments.
Lenasalon, whose nomination was communicated by Speaker of the National Assembly, Hon. Moses Wetang'ula, on 26th March 2025, emphasized the need to address existing gaps in county revenue collection. Drawing from his experience at the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Lenasalon committed to leveraging his expertise to digitize revenue systems and ensure greater accountability in resource management.
"I will use my experience to ensure a modernized and transparent revenue collection system. This will not only improve efficiency but also ensure that county resources are managed in an accountable manner," Lenasalon stated.
The vetting process follows the President's nomination of 14 individuals for appointment as Principal Secretaries, in line with Articles 132(2)(d) and 155(3) of the Constitution. As per the Public Appointments (Parliamentary Approval) Act, the National Assembly is tasked with reviewing these appointments.
The Committee, chaired by Hon. Peter Lochakapong, probed Lenasalon on his plans to address transparency and integrity within the devolution sector. A software engineer by training, Lenasalon outlined his broad managerial experience and commitment to inclusive governance. He highlighted public participation as a crucial aspect of his approach, stating, "Engaging the public ensures that policies and programs are aligned with the actual needs of citizens and not just theoretical solutions."
Hon. Kazungu Tungule raised concerns about Lenasalon’s motivation for seeking the role, given his well-established career. In response, Lenasalon revealed that his upbringing in a minority community inspired his desire to take on leadership roles that promote inclusive development. "I want to use my position to influence policies that bring about equitable development, especially for marginalized groups," he explained.
Vice-Chairperson Hon. Paul Abuor praised the nominee’s understanding of devolution, noting his experience and inclusive approach. Lenasalon acknowledged the importance of granting counties greater autonomy to enable them to deliver services effectively, while also strengthening monitoring and evaluation frameworks to track progress.
On the issue of conflict resolution in the North Rift, Hon. Lochakapong questioned Lenasalon on his approach to handling insecurity. Lenasalon emphasized the importance of inter-community dialogue and long-term negotiations to address historical ethnic conflicts, suggesting that these issues required a whole-of-government approach.
Hon. Mary Emaase asked Lenasalon about his approach to resolving disputes within county governments. Lenasalon emphasized that his preference would be to resolve conflicts through management structures, rather than resorting to court interventions, advocating for proactive solutions.
Responding to concerns raised by Hon. Peter Nabulindo about corruption in counties, particularly regarding political interference in employment practices, Lenasalon pledged to align county work plans with budgets and to enhance the independence of county public service boards. "The key is to ensure that county public service boards function independently and are held accountable to public service policies," Lenasalon assured.
In closing, Hon. Khamisi Chome urged Lenasalon to regularly engage with the Committee to promote transparency and accountability. The Committee will now prepare a report on Lenasalon's suitability for the role, which will be tabled in the House for further consideration.
As part of his pledge to the devolution sector, Lenasalon’s priorities include improving service delivery through accountable and transparent systems while working collaboratively to enhance the development of marginalized communities. If approved, his leadership will play a critical role in the continued success of devolution in Kenya.
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