Civil Society Sounds Alarm Over Threats to Devolution, Demands Urgent Action from Government and Senate
The Kenya Devolution Civil Society Working Group (KDCWG), a coalition of civil society organizations representing all 47 counties, has issued a statement decrying the growing erosion of devolution through delayed function transfers, unconstitutional funding models, and a creeping return of political patronage tied to State House.
The group warned that the vision of devolution is under siege, with governors being forced to carry begging bowls to State House for development funding a scenario devolution was designed to eradicate.
KDCWG criticized the proliferation of parallel funding mechanisms like the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) and new presidential development initiatives that bypass county governments and Parliament, calling them tools of recentralization.
“Development is increasingly tied to political loyalty rather than actual need. This is not devolution it is political patronage dressed up as development,” the group asserted.
The group also expressed frustration over the delayed transfer of devolved functions. Despite repeated promises by President William Ruto, the Omnibus Bill, meant to facilitate structured transfer of functions, remains stuck in the Attorney General’s office.
Meanwhile, the National Treasury continues to withhold critical funds, including Ksh. 272 billion already costed by the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee (IGRTC).
KDCWG has called for the immediate passage of the Omnibus Bill, full financing of all devolved functions, and an end to duplication of roles between the two levels of government.
Turning to legislation, the group urged the Senate to reject the NG-CDF Bill, terming it unconstitutional.
“Constituencies are not development units. This Bill violates the Constitution, weakens oversight, and undermines devolution,” the statement read.
The group further criticized the growing trend of allocating development funds through executive fiat, bypassing Parliament, warning this was returning the country to the dark days of centralized, politicized development.
The upcoming Devolution Conference was also faulted for becoming elitist and exclusionary. “It has turned into a governors’ affair, far removed from the citizens it’s meant to serve,” the group said, demanding that the conference be restructured to ensure grassroots participation and affordability.
KDCWG highlighted four key demands including transfer all functions and resources immediately, reject the NG-CDF Bill, end State House-controlled development patronage, and restore transparency and citizen involvement in budgeting and planning processes.
