When
Kenyans overwhelmingly endorsed the 2010 Constitution, devolution stood out as
one of its most promising pillars.
It
was designed to bring services and resources closer to the people, reduce
regional inequalities, and deepen democratic governance.
More
than a decade later, however, that promise is under serious threat.
Several former governors have already been convicted of corruption.
Numerous other former
and current governors are under investigation and many more are likely to face
prosecution.
These
are no longer isolated incidents—corruption has found a comfortable home in
county governments.
Instead
of delivering development, many countries have become hotbeds of mismanagement,
patronage, and impunity.
Article
174 of the Constitution outlines the noble objectives of devolution: equity,
efficient service delivery, and inclusive governance. In practice, these goals
are being steadily undermined.
Year
after year, reports from the Office of the Auditor-General expose
misappropriated funds, inflated procurement, and ghost projects.
The
Controller of Budget has repeatedly flagged the misuse of funds and noncompliance
with the Public Finance Management Act.
Yet,
while governors continue to clamour for increased allocations from the
exchequer, accountability for the billions already disbursed remains elusive.
Recurrent
expenditure—largely driven by bloated wage bills and political
patronage—devours the bulk of county budgets, leaving little for development.
Kenya’s
public debt has now surpassed Sh10 trillion, most of which was borrowed during
the previous administration.
A significant share of this borrowing was
intended to finance development projects, many of which were looted long before
completion.
County
governments have not been spared.
Devolved
corruption has only deepened the national economic burden. Citizens are now repaying
loans for projects they never benefited from.
The
current structure of devolution is financially unsustainable.
Kenya’s
GDP stands at roughly $120 billion, with a population of 53 million.
This
cannot support 47 fully-fledged county governments.
By
contrast, South Korea, with a similar population, operates just 17 regional
units.
The
United States, with over 330 million people and a vastly larger economy, has
only 50 states. Kenya’s model has expanded political offices, inflated
administrative costs, and diluted service delivery.
We
must begin an honest national conversation about restructuring the devolved
system.
A
return to regional governance—based on the original eight provinces—could
streamline administration, reduce duplication, and improve development
coordination.
Resources
could be pooled and oversight mechanisms, such as those by the Auditor-General
and EACC, strengthened to enable more impactful planning and delivery.
Nairobi,
too, requires unique consideration. As Kenya’s capital and economic engine, it
demands professional, technocratic leadership.
A
city of its size and significance should be managed by a competitively
recruited chief executive selected on merit, not political patronage.
Placing Nairobi under the national government,
with independent and enforceable oversight, would shield it from politicisation
and fiscal abuse.
Institutions
such as the Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS), although temporary,
demonstrated the potential of a professionalised approach.
The
Constitution provides lawful and structured mechanisms for reform.
Article
188 allows for the alteration of county boundaries based on criteria such as
population, infrastructure, and economic viability.
Article 257 empowers citizens to initiate
constitutional amendments through a popular initiative.
The
Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) and the Intergovernmental Budget and
Economic Council (IBEC) must also be part of this dialogue, ensuring that
fiscal responsibility and equity remain at the heart of any reform.
This
is not a call to dismantle devolution—it is a call to save it.
The
vision of bringing power closer to the people must not become an excuse for
entrenching corruption and overburdening taxpayers.
We
must reimagine and realign our governance model with economic reality and
public interest.
Kenya
needs a leaner, more transparent, and effective devolved system—one rooted in
service, not self-interest. If we are to protect our future as a nation, the
time to act is now.
Fwamba
NC Fwamba is the Chairman of the National Alternative Leadership Forum (NALF)
