Skip to main content

Featured

Apocalypse Doesn't Mean What Most People Think It Means. So How Did It Become Synonymous with the End of the World?

Mention the word apocalypse and most people picture the same scene: cities reduced to rubble, fire falling from the sky, horsemen galloping across a dying Earth, and a final battle that brings human history to an abrupt, terrifying end. Hollywood loves that version. So do many preachers. The Greek language doesn't. The word apokalypsis , from which "apocalypse" is derived, simply means an unveiling, a disclosure, a revelation. Before it became associated with catastrophe, it described the act of pulling back a curtain so that something hidden could finally be seen. That raises an uncomfortable question. If apocalypse originally meant revelation, how did it become almost exclusively associated with global destruction? The answer lies not in a conspiracy but in centuries of interpretation. The Book of Revelation is arguably the most misunderstood book in the New Testament.  Written towards the end of the first century, it emerged during a period when Christians lived under ...

Devolution Under Threat: Council of Governors Raises Alarm


The Kenya Council of Governors has issued a stark warning, asserting that the nation's devolution system is encountering a grave peril emanating from the Executive. Devolution, a cornerstone of Kenya's governance structure since its inception in 2010, is facing unprecedented challenges, according to the council.

The council, representing the 47 counties of Kenya, has voiced concerns over what it perceives as systematic attempts by the executive to undermine the autonomy and effectiveness of devolved units. Such encroachments, if left unchecked, could erode the gains made in decentralising power and resources, threatening the very foundation of devolution.

Among the grievances highlighted by the council are delays in disbursing funds to the counties, arbitrary interventions in local governance affairs, and the imposition of directives without consultation or consideration of local needs. These actions, the council contends, not only weaken the ability of counties to deliver essential services but also jeopardise the principles of democratic governance and citizen participation enshrined in the Constitution.

The warning from the Council of Governors comes at a critical juncture for Kenya, as the country grapples with a myriad of socio-economic challenges. Devolution, with its promise of bringing government closer to the people and fostering equitable development across regions, is now more indispensable than ever.

In response to the council's alarm, stakeholders, including civil society organisations and the public, are calling for urgent dialogue and concrete actions to safeguard the integrity of devolution. They emphasise the need for mutual respect between the national and county governments, adherence to constitutional principles, and the promotion of a collaborative approach to governance.

As Kenya navigates these turbulent times, the preservation of devolution stands as a litmus test for the country's commitment to democratic ideals and inclusive development. The challenge now lies in translating rhetoric into action, ensuring that the promises of devolution are upheld for the prosperity and well-being of all Kenyans.



Comments