By Peter Mwibanda.
NAIROBI, Kenya — Twelve years after Kenya launched its ambitious system of devolution, the results are a study in contrasts: gleaming new roads and hospitals alongside entrenched corruption and political patronage.
In 2013, Kenyans embraced devolution — a constitutional shift transferring powers and resources from the central government to 47 county governments — with high hopes.
The promise was to bring services closer, spur growth in neglected regions, and give citizens more say in local governance.
Progress is visible in many areas. Tarmac roads now cut through rural landscapes once dominated by dirt tracks.
County-built markets bustle with vendors, and new hospitals serve towns that had none. Local economies, in pockets, have been jolted to life.
But critics say the gains mask deep structural problems.
“We have devolved resources, but also devolved corruption,” said Nairobi-based governance analyst Miriam Otieno. “Counties are spending the bulk of their funds on salaries and allowances rather than projects that change lives.”
Data from the Controller of Budget shows recurrent expenditure — salaries, allowances, and administrative costs — consuming more than 60% of county budgets. In some counties, it exceeds 70%, leaving little for development.
Nepotism, once tied to the national government, now thrives locally. Governors face accusations of awarding jobs and contracts to relatives and loyalists, undermining meritocracy and public trust.
“We thought devolution would mean better services and opportunities,” said farmer Daniel Njoroge from Kirinyaga County. “Instead, leaders are enriching themselves while basic needs remain unmet.”
Auditor-General reports show billions lost in irregular procurement and ghost projects, with stalled buildings and incomplete roads scattered across several counties.
Anti-corruption agencies have charged multiple governors with economic crimes, but most cases drag in court for years.
Political analysts warn that the 2027 elections could intensify the problem, as incumbents focus more on political survival than service delivery. Campaign spending, they say, often comes from county coffers disguised as development projects.
Still, supporters insist the benefits are undeniable — from improved infrastructure to localized decision-making and greater leader visibility.
Experts say the next phase must focus on stronger oversight, transparent procurement, and genuine citizen participation in budgeting. Civil society groups are pushing for laws that cap recurrent expenditure and require open public audits.
Twelve years in, devolution stands as both a breakthrough and a cautionary tale — a system with the power to transform Kenya, still weighed down by old political habits.
Ends.
