Ms Diane Onditi(MPRSK), Communication and PR Specialist. /HANDOUT
When Kenya adopted devolution in 2013, the promise was bold: take resources closer to the people, spur local development, and unlock business growth at the grassroots.
Over a decade later, the question we must ask is simple yet uncomfortable: are county governments truly walking the talk in fostering a thriving business environment?
At its core, devolution was meant to reduce inequality by ensuring all regions could access opportunities for development.
County governments were tasked with improving infrastructure, streamlining business licensing, supporting SMEs, and attracting investment.
In theory, counties were to become hubs of localised economic growth, tailored to the unique strengths of each region, from agriculture in the Rift Valley to blue economy opportunities along the Coast, and manufacturing in Nairobi and its environs.
While there have been pockets of progress, many business owners will tell you that the lived reality often falls short of the vision.
Counties still grapple with:
- Cumbersome Licensing: In some counties,
duplicative fees and levies discourage formalization rather than support
it. A trader often pays multiple licenses at the county and national level
for the same activity.
- Poor Infrastructure: Roads, markets, and
utilities basic enablers of commerce remain underdeveloped in many
counties despite budgetary allocations.
- Limited Investment Incentives: Few counties
have developed structured incentives such as tax rebates, land
concessions, or public-private partnerships that could attract investors.
- Policy Inconsistency: Businesses often face sudden changes in levies or by-laws, making long-term planning difficult.
These gaps stifle the very SMEs and entrepreneurs devolution was supposed to empower.
That said, it is not all doom. Some counties have embraced innovation and partnerships:
- Makueni County has become a case study for
value addition in agriculture, particularly in mango processing.
- Kisumu County has leveraged its lakeside
advantage to host international conferences and invest in the blue
economy.
- Nakuru County has attracted investment in agro-processing and hospitality, thanks to deliberate branding and infrastructural improvements.
These examples prove that when counties commit to creating an enabling environment, businesses respond positively.
If devolution is to live up to its promise, counties must move from rhetoric to results.
Three shifts are urgent:
Devolution remains one of the most powerful tools Kenya has for inclusive growth. But unless counties walk the talk by cutting red tape, investing strategically, and partnering with businesses the dream risks becoming another unfulfilled promise.
The truth is simple: when counties thrive, Kenya thrives. It is time for county governments to move beyond slogans and actively deliver an enabling environment where businesses can flourish. That was, after all, the very spirit of devolution.
Ms Diane Onditi(MPRSK) is a Communication and PR Specialist
Reach her: [email protected]
