A toxic mix of power struggles, supremacy battles and political blackmail between county executives and assemblies is severely delaying critical service delivery across multiple devolved units.
The Star has established that governors and MCAs are embroiled in bitter feuds, stalling the passage of essential county budgets and development plans and crippling public services.
“These wrangles are affecting service delivery significantly,” said Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang’o.
Nyakang’o described the relationship between some county executives and assemblies as dysfunctional and “convoluted,” with political rivalry often taking precedence over citizen needs.
At least five counties – Bungoma, Machakos, Isiolo, Nyamira and Meru – are grappling with active or recent standoffs between the executive and legislative arms of government, undermining day-to-day operations.
Other counties, including Kilifi, Wajir, Nandi, Kakamega and Kericho, have also experienced infighting, fuelled either by executive interference in assembly operations or internal power struggles among MCAs.
