Kenyan governors have voiced strong concerns over being sidelined by the national government in development projects initiated within their counties. They are now urging President William Ruto to ensure that these initiatives are implemented at the county level for better efficiency and impact.
Speaking during the Kenya Devolution Support Programme II (KDSP) meeting held in Naivasha on Tuesday, May 27, the Council of Governors (CoG) vice-chairperson, Governor Mutahi Kahiga, emphasized the need for county governments to take the lead in implementing national programmes.
According to him, devolved units have established systems and structures that can effectively manage and execute these initiatives, especially with support from the Council of Governors.
Kahiga called on the national government to allocate specific funding for CoG to help roll out critical programmes such as the subsidised fertiliser initiative. He insisted that if the government works closely with CoG, implementation at the grassroots level would be more seamless and impactful.
“We already have working structures at the county level. What we are asking for is that CoG be given a role in these projects by setting aside dedicated funding segments to support implementation. With that, we can jointly deliver better results,” Kahiga said.
The governors are also asking development partners to engage directly with the county governments through the Council of Governors. They believe that such a model would eliminate unnecessary delays often caused by national-level bureaucracy and ensure quicker and more efficient delivery of services.
Kahiga criticised the national government’s grip on development activities, stating that even though it holds sovereign power, real implementation happens on the ground—in the counties.
“The national government may have authority and handle external negotiations or funding deals, but ultimately, every programme—whether it’s fertiliser distribution or any other—has to be executed within the counties,” he said.
This is not the first time county leaders have clashed with the national government. Tensions between Members of Parliament and the Council of Governors have persisted over control of key resources like the Roads Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF).
The situation escalated on April 22 when Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o accused President Ruto of undermining devolution by attempting to take control of the RMLF from the counties and placing it under national management.
Governor Nyong’o argued that this move was a clear sign of the national government’s reluctance to fully embrace devolution.
He openly criticised President Ruto’s defense of national road agencies such as the Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA) and the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KERA), claiming that their continued existence contradicts the principles of devolution.
“If the national government is truly committed to devolution, then agencies like KURA and KERA should not exist. Their roles should be transferred to county governments,” Nyong’o said.
The governors’ plea reflects a growing concern among county leaders that their roles are being diminished, even as they remain responsible for delivering services to citizens.
They are calling for genuine cooperation from the national government to ensure that devolution is not just a concept on paper, but a practical reality that benefits all Kenyans.
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