Atwoli calls for health, land functions to return to national government

COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli speaks during a past event. PHOTO | COTU Audio By Vocalize Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU-K) Secretary-General Francis Atwoli has called for constitutional amendments to return the management of health and land from county governments to the national government, arguing that devolution has exposed the two critical sectors to persistent management challenges. Atwoli said the Constitution had reached a point where some provisions needed to be reviewed to address emerging challenges, particularly in the health sector. Speaking at the funeral of COTU National Treasurer Abel Njeru, Atwoli argued that health services should not have been devolved to county governments, claiming that many counties lack the financial and administrative capacity required to effectively manage the sector. He linked persistent strikes by health workers, shortages and disruptions in medical services to what he described as inadequate prioritisation and poor management of healthcare at the county level. Atwoli said returning health functions to the national government would facilitate more coordinated management, improve resource allocation and strengthen service delivery across the country. 'Health is a critical national service,' Atwoli said, warning that continued disputes and management challenges at the county level could undermine access to healthcare for millions of Kenyans. The labour leader also called for a review of how land is managed, particularly the protection of agricultural land from uncontrolled development. He warned that the continued conversion of agricultural land into residential and commercial developments could threaten Kenya's food security by reducing the amount of land available for food production. Atwoli urged the government to strike a balance between urban development and the preservation of productive agricultural land, saying the country must protect its agricultural base for future generations. On politics, Atwoli dismissed Nairobi Senator and ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna's reported presidential ambitions, arguing that the lawmaker lacks the political and administrative experience required to seek the country's highest office. Atwoli said Sifuna's experience from serving one term as a senator was not enough preparation for the presidency. He challenged the senator to gain broader political and administrative experience before attempting to mount a presidential campaign.