Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has reaffirmed the National
Government’s commitment to strengthening Kenya’s devolved system of governance,
describing it as the country’s most powerful tool for driving inclusion,
equity, and shared prosperity.
Speaking as he officially closed the 9th Devolution
Conference in Homa Bay County, Kindiki praised the progress made under
devolution and called for stronger collaboration between the National and
County Governments to deliver on key development priorities.
“Over the past four days, the 9th Devolution Conference has
served as a critical policy forum facilitating evidence-based dialogue, peer
learning, and stakeholder reflection on the trajectory of Kenya’s devolution
agenda.
“Participants have rigorously interrogated data, shared
subnational innovations, synthesized citizen feedback, and reaffirmed our
collective commitment to embedding equity, inclusion, and social justice into
the fabric of devolved governance,” he said.
The DP said the conference brought into sharp focus some of
the most enduring and structural challenges facing Kenya’s devolved system
today.
Kindiki said it has also served as a mechanism of
accountability, reaffirming that devolution is much more than a constitutional
aspiration, but a practical and developmental instrument for advancing spatial
equity, participatory democracy, and transformative service delivery.
He commended the National Treasury for maintaining full
disbursement of funds to counties despite the prevailing fiscal challenges.
“As of the end of June 2025, 100 percent of the equitable share for
the Financial Year 2024/2025 had been disbursed to county governments,” Kindiki
said.
He noted that this performance reflects the government’s
commitment to ensuring counties have the resources to serve their people.
The Deputy President singled out several joint projects as
examples of effective collaboration, including the County Aggregation and
Industrial Parks (CAIPS), which he described as central to Kenya’s job creation
agenda.
In the health sector, Kindiki lauded the registration of
over 25.5 million Kenyans under the Taifa Care programme, run by the Social
Health Authority (SHA).
He said this marked a significant step toward achieving
universal health coverage.
“These initiatives demonstrate what is possible when
national and county governments work together for the good of our people,” he
said.
Kindiki urged both levels of government to maintain focus on
shared priorities and ensure that development projects reach citizens across
all regions.
He added that the government will continue to explore
innovative ways to strengthen devolution and deliver tangible results to Kenyans.
The conference was opened by President William Ruto on
Tuesday, while Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga gave a key note address on
Thursday.
