Devolution at 12: Has It Worked for the Common Mwananchi?

When Kenya adopted devolution in 2013, the dream was simple yet powerful — bring power and resources closer to the people. After decades of centralized governance, devolution came as a promise: that the ordinary Kenyan in Turkana, Vihiga, or Kwale would finally feel seen, heard, and served.
But now, twelve years down the line, the question still lingers — has devolution truly worked for the common mwananchi?

The Dream That Was Devolution

The 2010 Constitution was a landmark in Kenya’s history. It birthed 47 county governments meant to handle health, agriculture, trade, and infrastructure development.
For the first time, local leaders — governors, MCAs, and county executives — had the power to decide what mattered most to their people.
It was a shift from “Nairobi knows best” to “we decide what’s best and works for us.”
The intent was noble: bridge inequality, spur development, and make government more accessible.
And to some extent, that dream has worked — at least on paper.

The Wins We Can’t Ignore

Let’s give credit where it’s due. Despite the noise, devolution has changed the face of many counties.

1. Improved Infrastructure

From dusty roads to tarmac and rural bridges to market stalls, many counties now boast roads that were once impossible dreams.
Counties like Elgeyo Marakwet, Makueni, and Kisumu have built feeder roads and modern markets connecting farmers and traders.
Even smaller counties like Vihiga have seen projects like rural electrification and water distribution that never existed before.

2. Health Services Closer to Home

Before 2013, you had to travel miles to access basic medical care. Today, county hospitals and dispensaries have mushroomed everywhere.
Counties like Kakamega built the impressive Kakamega County Teaching and Referral Hospital, while Makueni County introduced universal health care long before it became a national dream.
Yes, the facilities may still lack equipment or staff, but the progress is visible.

3. Empowering Small Enterprises

Counties have introduced youth and women empowerment programs — from Boda Boda funds to Biashara loans and agricultural grants.
In some places, devolution has breathed life into forgotten economies — promoting cottage industries, agribusiness, and value addition at the local level.

4. The Spirit of Accountability

Let’s be honest: for the first time, Kenyans now know who to hold responsible.
When garbage piles up, you don’t blame “the government” in Nairobi — you call out your governor.
That level of accountability is a huge step forward in our democracy.

The Dark Side of Devolution

But even as we celebrate, we can’t ignore the other side of the story — the ugly truth about what devolution has become in some corners of this country.

1. Corruption — Decentralized

We hoped devolution would decentralize development, but instead, it decentralized corruption.
From ghost projects and inflated tenders to phantom bursaries, county corruption mirrors national greed.
The same leaders we trusted to bring change ended up replicating the same Nairobi games — only this time, closer home.

2. Politics Over Service

In some counties, service delivery has taken a back seat to political rivalry. Governors fight MCAs, MCAs fight back, budgets get delayed, and development stalls.
The people — the same ones devolution was meant to empower — end up suffering.

3. Wastage and Duplication

Too many offices, too many allowances, too little work.
Counties spend huge portions of their budgets on salaries, workshops, and sitting allowances — leaving crumbs for actual development.
In some counties, up to 65% of funds go to recurrent expenditure. That’s not development — that’s survival.

4. Unequal Growth

Some counties have blossomed, others have barely moved.
While Makueni, Nyeri, and Kisumu show progress, counties like Turkana and Isiolo still battle basic poverty.
Devolution was meant to bridge the gap, not widen it.

The Real Score

So, has devolution worked?
The answer isn’t a simple yes or no — it’s both.
Devolution has worked in principle — it has empowered local decision-making, improved accessibility, and created space for growth.
But it has failed in practice — plagued by greed, inefficiency, and weak oversight.
The dream was to empower the people, not enrich the politicians.
Until that dream becomes reality, the question “has it worked?” will remain a painful one.

The Way Forward: Fixing the Foundation

1. Strengthen Oversight
We need stronger watchdogs at the county level — County Assemblies, Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission, and Auditor General must do more than write reports.
They must act — firmly and publicly.

2. Financial Discipline and Transparency
Counties should embrace open budget systems where citizens can track spending in real-time.
Let every mwananchi know how every shilling is spent. After all, it’s their money.

3. Civic Education for All
Many Kenyans still don’t fully understand what devolution is or what their counties are supposed to deliver.
Civic education should be ongoing — so that citizens can demand services boldly and intelligently.

4. Rewarding Performing Counties
The National government should incentivize counties that perform well — through additional funding or development partnerships.
Competition breeds excellence.

A Citizen’s Responsibility

Devolution doesn’t belong to the government — it belongs to us.

We must speak up, attend public forums, question budgets, and reject mediocrity.

A silent citizen is a powerless citizen.

When the public becomes the watchdog, leaders start performing.

And when citizens demand better, the spirit of devolution truly lives on.

Final Thought

Twelve years later, devolution stands as both Kenya’s greatest success and biggest lesson.

It has shown us that true change isn’t just about systems — it’s about people.

It’s about leaders who serve, citizens who demand, and a nation that believes in progress.

The dream is still alive — bruised, but breathing.

And maybe, just maybe, if we fix what’s broken, we’ll finally say with confidence:
“Yes, devolution worked — for the common mwananchi.”

254Digest — Fresh. Bold. Kenyan.