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- What Does Devolution Mean?
Ever wondered why Kenya has 47 counties?
In Kenya, devolution is a system of government that aims to bring decision-making closer to the people by creating smaller units of governance called counties.
Devolution allows for more localized management of resources and services, so that the government can better meet the unique needs of different regions.
Let’s break down what devolution means and how the county system works in simple terms.
What is Devolution?
Devolution is the transfer of power and resources from the national government to local governments, which are called counties in Kenya.
This system was introduced by the 2010 Constitution to ensure that all parts of the country, especially those that were previously marginalized, have a say in their own development.
In other words: Think of Kenya as a large school. Before devolution, all decisions were made by the head teacher (national government) without much input from the students (citizens). With devolution, each class (county) now has a class representative (Governor) who listens to the students and works to address their specific needs, while still following the overall rules of the school.
Real-Life Example: Before devolution, residents in remote areas like Turkana and Mandera had limited access to healthcare. After devolution, county governments were able to allocate funds to build hospitals and clinics in these regions, providing an improvement to access of medical services.
The Role of County Governments
Each of Kenya’s 47 counties has its own government, which is responsible for managing local affairs. The county government is led by a Governor, who is elected by the people of the county. The Governor is supported by a County Executive Committee (CEC) and a County Assembly.
Governor: The Governor is the head of the county and is responsible for implementing laws and managing resources at the county level.
County Executive Committee (CEC): Similar to the national Cabinet, the CEC is made up of officials in charge of different sectors like health, education, and infrastructure. They help the Governor run the county efficiently.
County Assembly: This is the legislative arm of the county government. Members of the County Assembly (MCAs) represent different wards within the county. They make laws and policies that are specific to their county.
Here’s a visual explanation of how the structure of devolution in Kenya looks like;
In other words: Think of the Governor as the principal of a specific school (county), responsible for running that school according to the needs of the students. The CEC are the teachers in charge of different subjects (health, education), while the County Assembly acts like a student council that represents the interests of the students.
Real-Life Example: The Governor of Makueni County, worked with the CEC for Health and the County Assembly to launch its Universal Health Coverage program called "Makueni Care" in October 2016. This was one of the first counties in Kenya to implement a county-level UHC scheme. By 2019, over 60% of the target population in Makueni County had registered for the Makueni Care program and were receiving affordable healthcare services. This is a tangible benefit of the devolution of government to the people.
How Does Devolution Affect You?
Devolution brings the government closer to the people, allowing for more tailored services and development projects that directly benefit local communities. It also gives citizens more opportunities to participate in decision-making processes that affect their lives.
In other words: If you live in a rural area and your local market needs better roads, you can petition your County Assembly or approach your MCA to raise the issue. The county government can then allocate funds to improve the roads, making it easier for you to transport goods and grow your business.
Real-Life Example: Following devolution, the Nairobi City County government took over the management of water services, to improve water supply and sanitation services to various neighborhoods and informal settlements.
Why Devolution Should Matter to You
Devolution allows for more equitable development across the country by giving counties the power to make decisions that best serve their residents.
Understanding how devolution works helps you engage with your county government, ensuring that your needs and those of your community are met.
Whether it’s better roads, schools, or healthcare, devolution gives you a direct line to the people who can make it happen.
Resources for More Learning:
1. Kenya’s Devolution Dream: 13 Years on and the Quest for True Empowerment by Transparency International Kenya: https://tikenya.org/2023/08/24/kenyas-devolution-dream-13-years-on-and-the-quest-for-true-empowerment/
2. Making Devolution Work for Service Delivery in Kenya by Abdu Muwonge, Timothy Stephen Williamson, Christine Owuor and Muratha Kinuthia
https://documents1.worldbank.org/curated/en/520481645582955062/pdf/Making-Devolution-Work-for-Service-Delivery-in-Kenya.pdf
3. Integrated Support Programme to the Devolution Process in Kenya by the State Department for Devolution at the Office of the Deputy President
https://www.devolution.go.ke/integrated-support-programme-devolution-process-kenya