This archive report was first published on 27 November 2019.
On November 27, 2019, the Building Bridges Initiative report was released, sparking a national conversation about the country's future.
While the report's recommendations are contentious, some are undoubtedly worth implementing. One such recommendation is that counties should contribute to the national cake, rather than simply receiving allocations from the national government.
This idea is rooted in the concept of devolution, which aimed to empower counties to control their own destinies. A robust tax regime would enable counties to raise sufficient revenue to run public services, while also ensuring that taxpayers receive value for their money.
Another key recommendation is for leaders at both the county and national government levels to reduce wastage of resources and provide value for tax revenue. This includes eliminating the practice of paying public servants sitting allowances for jobs they are already paid to do.
The report also proposes entrenching gender equity, a noble idea that does not require legislation to implement. Private institutions have already successfully mainstreamed gender in the workplace, and the public sector can learn from these innovative approaches.
One example of wasteful spending is the practice of sending large entourages on frequent trips abroad without tangible benefits for the public.
