Was Devolution In Kenya The Evolution Of Corruption Or Services?

When devolution came into being, Kenyans sang and danced. They knew that a new dawn had come. To them, the old was gone and the new chapter as a country had started. It was all about hope and a bright future.

To the majority of Kenyans, devolution meant so many things. It meant service moving all the way from the proverbial “Nairobi” right to the people. It meant the equitable distribution of resources.

Devolution meant creating employment for millions of Kenyans who had no jobs. It meant bettering the health system, the education sector, and empowering people across genders.

Devolution meant doing away with corruption, tribalism, nepotism, and restoring the lost glory of a nation by firmly anchoring it on the real foundation of rule of law as stipulated in the constitution of Kenya.

As the days melted by, it began dawning on Kenyans that devolution was not being tailored towards the objectives that it was put in place. It started dawning on Kenyans that some leaders were taking advantage of devolution to impoverish the poor and enriching themselves.

Where the journey began

Chapter Eleven of the Constitution of Kenya is what gave birth to devolution. In fact, Article 174 of the Constitution of Kenya outlines clearly the objectives of a devolved government.

The objects of the devolution of government are—

(a) To promote the democratic and accountable exercise of power;

(b) To foster national unity by recognizing diversity;

(c) To give powers of self-governance to the people and enhance the participation of the people in the exercise of the powers of the State and in making decisions affecting them;

(d) To recognize the right of communities to manage their own affairs and to further their development;

(e) To protect and promote the interests and rights of minorities and marginalized communities;

(f) To promote social and economic development and the provision of proximate, easily accessible services throughout Kenya;

(g) To ensure equitable sharing of national and local resources throughout Kenya;

(h) To facilitate the decentralization of State organs, their functions, and services, from the capital of Kenya; and

(i) To enhance checks and balances and the separation of powers.

Article 175 of the Constitution of Kenya puts down the principles that county governments should reflect.

County governments established under this Constitution shall reflect the following principles––

(a) County governments shall be based on democratic principles and the separation of powers;

(b) County governments shall have reliable sources of revenue to enable them to govern and deliver services effectively; and

(c) No more than two-thirds of the members of representative bodies in each county government shall be of the same gender.

Has the Constitution been followed by leaders in making devolution work for Kenyans? Have Kenyans started getting the real benefits of devolution from the constitution they fought so hard to get?

Has devolution delivered the much-needed services to the people who need them the most? What about taking care of public resources, are those in charge of taking care of people’s resources?

Hits of Devolution

Despite numerous complaints about devolution here and there, there are some hits that the majority of the counties have achieved as a result.

The health sector is under county governments. Many counties have tried to better their health systems in order to serve their people. With the coming of Covid-19, many county government have strived to purchase HDU beds, with more than 20 of them hitting the 300-bed-capacity-mark as directed by President Uhuru Kenyatta.

There are roads that were in dilapidated conditions in various counties across the country. The coming of devolution has seen most of them repaired, carpeted, and tarmacked.

Devolution has actually created employment opportunities for thousands of people. Although there have been complaints of tribalism and nepotism when it comes to awarding these employment positions, the majority of counties have been doing a tremendous job in creating employment.

County governments have created investment opportunities across the country. Most investors, for the first time, moved away from the capital city, Nairobi, to other counties where they would have never set foot before.

Misses of Devolution

Corruption. Truth is, some of the largest heists of public funds are happening in the counties. Corruption has been devolved and now people are looting public resources with impunity. “They used to eat far away from us, now they are eating closer to us,” said one resident of Kiambu County.

The misappropriation of cash meant for the public is the order of the day in most of the counties. Some governors have cases pending in court over corruption allegations. Some have been impeached. For some, it has been difficult for them to be prosecuted as some such as Kitui have been setting their finance offices on fire.

Tribalism and nepotism is another miss for devolution. Most county bosses have been accused of massive tribalism and nepotism in awarding tenders and employing people in the counties. These two vices have hurt devolution even more than corruption.

Devolution has failed to address poverty and equal distribution of resources among the people. In counties such as Turkana and Baringo, people are still dying of hunger, such illnesses as malaria with some still experiencing poor states of roads.

How to make devolution work for the people

Corruption should just be corruption. It is important that we prosecute all thieves of public resources without sanitizing some. We should not discriminate in the war against corruption.

There is a need for massive civic education among the masses in Kenya on the basis of devolution and what they should expect. Election accountability cannot be achieved if the masses will remain ignorant of what is rightfully theirs.

All governors must be accountable. Funds released to counties from the national government are not meant for governors and their relatives and friend. The funds are for Kenyans are they should be accountable for every penny.

READ: The Cost of Devolution From a National Perspective: Here is Where your Taxes are Going