Members of Parliament have resolved to pass a bill to pave way for the establishment of the National Planning Authority. The proposed Authority will be responsible for planning and implementation of development programmes for both national and county governments in line with the new constitution.

Speaking at a Mombasa hotel over the weekend during a Parliamentary forum on the Draft National Planning Authority Bill 2011, MPs promised to pass the Bill to facilitate the formation of the authority to spearhead planning of the country’s development programmes and national resources.

“MPs do hereby resolve to support the establishment of the proposed National Planning Authority (NPA) for provision of proper coordination of development planning processes between the national government and devolved levels”, read the resolutions in part read by Turkana Central MP Ekwe Ethuro. The 80 MPs who attended the forum were unanimous that the authority was long overdue to ensure the country’s development blue print-Vision 2030 is achieved.They termed the proposed authority as a panacea for the country’s development woes.

Chepalungu MP Isaac Ruto and his Kisumu Town East counterpart Shakeel Shabbir said the authority will reduce bureaucracy and ensure proper planning and monitoring of development projects in the country.
Their sentiments were echoed by Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Paul Otuoma who added that the authority will ensure enough resources are channeled to the youth who are the majority in the country.
Planning Minister Wycliffe Oparanya urged the MPs to pass the bill saying that the authority will streamline planning issues in the country, which will in the long run translate to economic growth.However, Tharaka MP Alex Mwiru and his Mathioya counterpart Clement Wambugu called for amendments to the bill to provide for checks and balances and punitive measures for those interfering with planning and distribution of national resources.

Planning Permanent Secretary Dr Edward Sambili noted that the Authority will attract experts from all over the world to bring on board best practices to develop Kenya. The proposed Authority will be charged with the overall development, planning and coordination by providing leadership and coordination in planning, policy formulation and tracking of results of macro and sectoral development programmes.

The agency to be based in the Office of the President is expected to work under the direction of the Cabinet Secretary and to be headed by a Principal Secretary. The principle objectives of the Authority will include among others; formulate policies and strategies for the country’s sustainable development, steer the country towards achieving the Kenya Vision 2030 and beyond, prepare national spatial plan to guide physical development over the next 50 years, prepare national planning blue prints, short term plans, five year national medium term plans and long national plans.

In addition, it will prepare guidelines for county governments for preparation of county development plans aligned to national development plans, coordinate, harmonise , monitor and evaluate effectiveness of development programmes, provide guidelines to sectoral ministries, government departments, agencies and county governments to assist them in project preparations, planning and budgeting, conduct research on best practices in county, national and international economic programmes and projects.

The NPA will work with the Finance Ministry, Controller of Budget and Revenue Allocation Authority to prioritize allocation of development budgetary resources for rapid economic transformation.

Ends……………..

Dave Jones Buchere

PRO Ministry of State for Planning, National Development and Vision 2030.

Nairobi – October 17, 2011