Devolution in Crisis: KDCWG raises Concerns over Systematic Attempts to Undermine Devolution
NAIROBI, Kenya, July 16 – The Kenya Devolution Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) Working Group (KDCWG) a national umbrella forum representing civil society networks across all 47 counties has raised concerns over systematic attempts to undermine devolution through delayed function transfers and the disturbing return of political patronage through State House-controlled development.
They noted that one of devolution’s core promises was to end the era of leaders carrying begging bowls to State House, ensuring public funds follow functions in a transparent and predictable manner.
“Instead, we are witnessing County leaders being summoned to State House to negotiate for development funds, recreating the very dependency devolution sought to eliminate, Parallel funding structures like NG-CDF and new “presidential development initiatives” bypassing county governments and Parliament’s budgetary role”, they said.
Additionally, they express disappointment on return to political patronage where development is tied to loyalty rather than need, undermining the principles of equitable resource sharing.
“This is not devolution it is recentralization through the backdoor failure to transfer functions is Suffocating Devolution”.
Despite President Ruto’s public commitments, the transfer of functions remains stalled, with the Omnibus Bill still stuck at the Attorney General’s office whereby the bill is set to regulate how the functions are to be transferred.
“In the FY 20256/26 Division of Revenue, we expected Parliament to allocate at least Ksh. 677 Billion, to factor in the withheld elements of devolved functions amounting Ksh. 272 Billion as unbundled and costed by IGRTC”.
They further raised an alarm that National government continues to directly implement devolved functions like rural roads, markets, agriculture and healthcare.
Consequently, they demand Immediate release and passage of the Omnibus Bill Full funding of transferred functions to counties and end duplication of roles between governments.
“Senate Must Reject Unconstitutional NG-CDF Bill, The courts have ruled constituencies are not development units, yet attempts continue to revive NG-CDF, which Violates the constitution by creating parallel funding Undermines devolution and separation of powers We demand the Senate REJECT this Bill outright”. they stated.
Furthermore, they highlighted that Devolution Conference has been hijacked by elites, priced beyond the reach of ordinary citizens and reduced to a county governments’ internal affair rather than a national dialogue.
“The Devolution Conference must be restructured to include grassroots voices and make sure that the cost is manageable not just governors and elites”.
KDCWG called upon transfer of all functions and resources immediately, Senate to reject NG-CDF bill, Stop State House-controlled development patronage, Restore Parliament’s proper budget and National and County Governments.
Stop duplication, ensure transparency, involve citizens in decision-making and make devolution Conference accessible to citizens.
“Devolution must work for Wanjiku, not politicians”.
