Role of Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee

The role of the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee in Kenya emanates from the Act of Parliament known as the Intergovernmental Relations Act.

The Technical Committee shall comprise–

• a chairperson competitively recruited and appointed by the Summit;
• not more than eight members who shall be competitively recruited and appointed by the Summit; and
• the Principal Secretary of the State Department for the time being responsible for matters relating to devolution.

The Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee (IGRTC) shall be appointed on such terms and conditions as the Summit may determine.

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Functions of the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee

The functions of the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee are as follows–

• responsible for the day to day administration of the National and County Governments Coordination Summit and of the Council of Governors and in particular–
  • facilitate the activities of the Summit and of the Council, and
  • implement the decisions of the Summit and of the Council;
• take over the residual functions of the transition entity (The defunct Transition Authority) established under the law relating to the transition to the devolved government after dissolution of such entity;
• convene a meeting of the forty-seven County Secretaries within thirty days preceding every Summit meeting; and
• perform any other function as may be conferred on it by the Summit, the Council, the Intergovernmental Relations Act or any other legislation.

Therefore, the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee (IGRTC) is the state agency responsible for the day to day functioning of the National and County Government Coordinating Summit (the Summit) and the Council of County Governors (CoG).

By law, it is charged with the responsibility of facilitating the activities of the Summit and CoG, as well as implementing the decisions of the two bodies.

With the expiry of the term of the Transition Authority (TA) on March 4, 2015, IGRTC took over the residual functions of the TA.

The IGRTC and its Secretariat are, in effect, not only the technical secretariat of the Summit but also the intermediary between both levels of government to facilitate effective and harmonious devolved governance through the promotion of consultation and cooperation.

Establishment of the Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat

There shall be a Secretariat of the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee which shall be headed by a Secretary. The secretary shall be competitively recruited and appointed by the Technical Committee, with the approval of the Summit.

The secretary shall be–

• the chief executive and accounting officer of the Secretariat; and
• responsible for the Technical Committee for the day to day administration of the affairs of the Secretariat and implementation of the decisions arising from the intergovernmental relations structures established under the Intergovernmental Relations Act.

The secretary (and in extension the secretariat) shall be responsible for–

• the implementation of decisions of the Summit, the Council and the Technical Committee;
• the establishment and development of an efficient administration of the Secretariat;
• the organization, control and management of staff of the Secretariat;
• maintaining accurate records on financial matters and resource use;
• ensuring the preparation and approval of the budget for the required funding of the operational expenses of the Summit, the Council and the Technical Committee; and
• performing any other duties as may be assigned by the Summit, the Council and the Technical Committee.

The Secretary shall be appointed for a single term of six years and is not eligible for reappointment.

For more about the Intergovernmental Relations Committee see Sections 11-18 of the Intergovernmental Relations Act. Also, visit their website.