Implementing devolution in Kenya: challenges and opportunities two months on

11 June 2013
Mugambi Laibuta
Mugambi Laibuta

by Mugambi Laibuta[1]

Hailed as the great compromise of Kenya’s new (2010) Constitution, devolution was one of the hallmarks of the transition from a previously centralized political system, which was largely blamed for vast inequality, exclusion and deep divisions in Kenyan society.  A number of key steps have been taken as part of the constitutionally prescribed three year roll-out plan for devolved government. Examples include passage in 2012 of key devolution-related legislative reforms, followed by general elections in March 2013 that established a new governance structure.

In this regard, the March 2013 elections are significant in that they definitively sealed the death of Kenya’s obsolete, post-independence Constitution and paved the way for the full operationalisation of many sections of the new Charter, which until now remained largely unimplemented. What has changed since? How is the current structure of the new polity being aligned with the constitutional vision for a socially, economically and politically inclusive society built on the principles of decentralization?  What are the practical difficulties being faced in this ambitious change in the structure of Kenyan government?

State of play

In order to appreciate the degree of changes taking place, a brief understanding of the historical context is in order. At independence, Kenya’s Constitution provided for some degree of fiscal, financial, legislative and political autonomy to regional governments, though in practice the central government still maintained a tight grip on them. By contrast, the current dispensation allows for two distinct levels of government: County and National governments, each with distinct powers, even if expected to cooperate with one another. Unlike the regional governments in the old system, county governments have full prerogatives that allow them to manage and develop their own affairs while fostering, social, economic and political development. Hence some of the areas their powers extend to include agriculture, healthcare, transport, trade development and regulation, planning and development and pre-primary education.

Besides the central executive, the March poll also saw the election of some authorities, and the final roll out of some structures, considered central to the new devolved governance framework. These include governors, county women representatives, county ward representatives, and senators who represent the counties at the national level. To ensure that counties have adequate resources to kick-start devolution within the parameters they can handle, the Senate has since passed legislation for the allocation of revenue to county governments, which now enjoy adequate funding- at least before the next financial year.

Central to this implementation process is the Transition Authority, established by Schedule Six of the Constitution with a core mandate to facilitate and co-ordinate the transition to a devolved system of government. Through powers conferred by the Transition to Devolved Government Act, the Transition Authority has since identified functions that were to be transferred to counties following the elections.

County governments have also already taken over institutional structures of the local government authorities as part of this process, including office premises, staff, assets and liabilities of local government that functioned under the former constitutional dispensation.

Despite these developments, one can identify a number of weaknesses in the way the process has been implemented. An emerging reality, for instance, is the ignorance that surrounds the devolution process, its operation and benefits, suggesting a failed public education strategy on the process. This has not been without consequences, as it has also impacted the devolution process. What then are some of the key challenges encountered so far?  

Challenges and opportunities for improvement

To begin with, the lack of understanding of key issues around devolution is generating a great deal of mistrust between stakeholders with some, especially the minority coalition in both houses of parliament, believing that the national government is seeking to frustrate devolution. Some counties, for instance, contest the piecemeal transfer of functions that has taken place so far, arguing that all powers provided in Schedule Four of the Constitution be transferred at once. This demand is partly driven by belief on the part of county governments that officials of the national government and local government structures being phased out remain resentful of the invasion of their previous scope of authority. While this may be true, the reality on the ground is that many county governments, if not all, lack the capacity to absorb all such powers within such a short term. This argument is strengthened when one considers, for instance, that Kenya currently lacks trained and experienced legislative drafters, fiscal and economic planning experts to adequately cater for the 47 counties.

Revenue allocation is also proving to be a divisive issue. By law, counties are entitled to least 15% of the total National Revenue collected. Despite many counties currently enjoying adequate funding, there is still a feeling that budgetary allocations need to be increased, and that the central government is reluctant to do this. Many county governors have since launched a spirited campaign to that effect and have interpreted the perceived national government reluctance as a ploy to frustrate the effectiveness of devolved units. On closer scrutiny though, the reality, as with the transfer of power, is that county governments do not have the absorption capacity for more than 15% of the national government revenue. Added to this are demands by county assembly authorities, like their national counterparts, for increased remuneration and benefits beyond the $1500 monthly package.

Other challenges involve the four different offices involved in the devolution process, each with their own administrative and bureaucratic culture that complicates the process; lack of audit reports for structures, assets and liabilities inherited from former local government institutions; as well as failure to observe the ‘at least a third rule’ which was designed to ensure adequate representation of women and other historically marginalised groups in the devolved structures. These challenges do not only pose great risks for the effective roll out of devolution in Kenya but also provoke some critical questions about the current implementation strategy.

For instance, in a country where the average annual salary is just $1600 (ca $133 per month),  and the vast majority of the population fall within or below this income bracket, will the new devolved government structure, and with it the demands from officials for more benefits and remuneration, not place a punitive wage bill on Kenyan taxpayers? Second, in the absence of proper auditing of inherited structures from the defunct local government structures and the impossibility of effectively policing all aspects of this transition, how will the risks of asset stripping be mitigated in a country where corruption and fraud is still rife?  

Regarding the ‘one third rule’, the situation is even dire as ingenious devices are being used to circumvent it. In Kericho County, for instance, many individuals are masquerading as members of the Tallai clan, which is one of the county’s traditionally excluded groups, to secure nomination to the County Assembly, to the perennial detriment of actual members of the clan. With no clear solutions from authorities that effectively address this, why would ordinary Kenyans and affected groups not be sceptical about the value of the process? 

By these questions, I am not suggesting that the process of implementing devolution in Kenya is failing or bound to collapse. I am merely stating that we can do better, by sign-posting issues that relevant authorities and stake holders will be ill –advised to ignore if we want to effectively complete a process whose start has neither been the best nor the worst.


[1] Advocate, High Court of Kenya| Researcher providing capacity building and support towards the constitutional implementation process| Former Researcher with the Committee of Experts on the Constitution| Views expressed do not represent those of International IDEA.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in Voices from the Field contributions are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect International IDEA’s positions.

Comments

Derrick Kaisha 11 June 2013
<p>I do agree in general with the erstwhile author and wish to further add my observations thus:</p><p>The transition period provided for in the Constitution and particularly the preparation phase before the establishment of county governments has proven to be too short. The exercise of auditing of assets and liabilities held by both the national government and local government was rushed and as a result the fear of asset stripping as alluded to by Mr. Laibuta is a reality.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The change in the constitution has not resulted in a change in the mindset of the people. Where Mr. Laibuta sees an increased burden in taxation on a people who are already overtaxed and underpaid, i see a failure to adhere to constitutional provisions and an attempt to chuck the rule of the law out of the window where it suits the engineers. The Constitution is clear on the roles and functions of the SRC yet parliamentarians are busy looking for avenues to undermine the SRC. Devolved governments are established as, among other things, a pathway to equal development across the Country. The CDF therefore loses meaning and needs therefore to be scrapped because it places national resources in the hands of politicians not elected as managers in the devolved system of government. There also should be no fighting on the roles of the Senate and National Assembly. However, the latter has already begun calls for the removal of the former. All these are symptoms of the death of the constitutional dream and constitutionalism in governance. Parliament and politicians will soon return the country into a laissez faire state. &nbsp; &nbsp; </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The judiciary has been underwhelming in its appreciation of the spirit of the Constitution. Various rulings have affirmed a position clearly not contemplated by the people in giving themselves the constitution. This includes the vetting of state and public officers where the requirements of the sixth chapter have been blatantly been disregarded and requirements for reckoning with the recommendations of the EACC as regards to the suitability of individuals have simply been ignored. &nbsp; </p>
Anonymous 12 June 2013
<p>Great piece! What is appaling is really the overlooking of a constitutional rule- "the one third rule" . As you have well put, we can certainly do better!</p>
Wanjiku Kambua 13 June 2013
<p>It is interesting to see the challenges Kenya is already facing in this domain but I think the it would also be interesting to what short-medium term solutions&nbsp; can ne proferred to address these&nbsp; hick ups. One is also missing the opportunities announced in the title. Yes, there is some sense of dissapointment among ordinary Kenyans with the way things are playing out so far but all is not lost yet. Many Kenyans are still hopeful and have faith in the new political dispensation created by the Constitution that things will work out alright in the long term, especially with President <a href="http://www.standardmedia.co.ke/?articleID=2000085794&amp;story_title=uhuru-warns-corrupt-civil-servants">Kenyatta's latest stance on corruption</a>. This hope and faith could be seen as an opportunity to capitalize on before it totally disipates.&nbsp; We should learn to offer solutions and not only criticize! Well written piece, nevetheless.</p>
Marindany 24 February 2015
Hello; I'm undertaking a survey on the devolution in kenya grilling and looking into the extend of delivery of public services to the normal wananchi on the grassroot level in one of the counties n kenya.I want to know the SPECIFIC AREAS I should base my survey to came up with all inclusive conclusion. Also your information will assist me when it comes to data collection to guide me approach the relevant individuals and authorities. Thank in advance.
Prof.Mutio 22 June 2015

In reply to by Marindany

I think the you have a broad field of study across the country.the only thing you haven't pointed out is your concern of the study i.e what do you want to survey? Anyway good luck
Anonymous 11 March 2015
true and well said Mr....my urge is to see CDF being allocated with more funds than this case of devolving funds to the county government
Arap Mutai 18 March 2015
A good piece. The main problem, I think, is the lack of institutional culture that promotes good governance and the interests of the people as a whole. The people we entrust to lead these institutions are incompetent and self-centered and so we will remain to condemn the good structure as established in the constitution while the main challenge is with the institutions themselves.
neil 28 April 2015
clearly democracy is failure in kenya... we need people who care about citizens of this country
prince D M 16 October 2015

In reply to by neil

Its true now that many leaders have violeted the constitution which promotes democracy.Therefore as a country we are likely to change from a domocratic government to a dictatorship form of governance in the next coming years so i urge all my fellow Kenyans to support this views and looks for a lasting solution. Thanks
Anonymous 15 October 2015
duplication of office members is a big issue and should be keenly checked out to ensure responsibility among the officials.. Some have no clear defined roles and thus should be done away with ... Otherwise there is alot of money wanted to pay people who are working for no one!
twik tak 26 February 2016
good
Anonymous 29 February 2016
Hello everyone, thank you for the comments. All very useful. If you would like to receive updates on constitutional developments in Kenya and worldwide, please become a member here: http://www.constitutionnet.org/community
Stephen kioko 24 February 2021
<p>Am doing leadership and public administration,am looking forward for the good management in any field.I&nbsp;believe in myself and&nbsp; I know everything is possible in God grace.anywai my queston is specifically partaining in the field most only where else can an public admistrator can work effectivelly.Despise the public servant.</p>

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