Devolution is the system of decentralized government introduced by Kenya's 2010 Constitution, creating 47 county governments with significant political and fiscal autonomy. The system was designed to address historical marginalization, bring services closer to citizens, and reduce the concentration of power in Nairobi. Each county has an elected governor and county assembly, responsible for health, agriculture, water, roads, and other devolved functions. The national government retained security, foreign affairs, and national infrastructure. Devolution transferred approximately 15 percent of national revenue to counties and created thousands of jobs at the local level. While it has improved service delivery in some areas, challenges include corruption, capacity gaps, and conflicts between governors and county assemblies. Devolution fundamentally changed Kenyan politics, making county elections as competitive as national ones and creating new centers of power and patronage across the country.
See Also
Devolution Legacy The 2010 Constitution Process The Constitution of 2010
Sources
- Commission on Revenue Allocation. 'Devolution in Kenya.' Government of Kenya, 2013.
- D'Arcy, Michelle and Marina Nistotskaya. 'State First, Then Democracy.' Comparative Politics, 2017.
- Cheeseman, Nic. 'Democracy in Africa.' Cambridge University Press, 2015.