Mbadi echoes Raila’s bold pronouncements on fruits of devolution
Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has emphasised that devolution is more than a government that is people-centred in its approach to development.
Speaking on Friday, August 15, 2025, at the devolution conference in Homa Bay County, Mbadi said devolution is about empowering Kenyans at the grassroots level and promoting shared prosperity.
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“We must move from the National Space and engage in the devolved space where the people are,” he said.
He hailed the historic cooperation between national and county governments that enabled the timely transfer of funds to all 47 counties, an unprecedented move since devolution began.
“Last Monday, we transferred July funds to counties on time, ensuring they have resources to improve lives,” he noted.
While acknowledging funding gaps, Mbadi stressed that progress relies on strong partnerships and accountability between the two government levels. He pointed to tangible improvements in counties like Homabay, where collaboration has transformed infrastructure and services.
“When you visit these counties today, the changes are clear,” Mbadi said.
The CS also highlighted programs supporting vulnerable groups, including rural financing, MSME credit guarantees, and affordable housing initiatives already benefiting communities. Climate resilience remains a priority, with over Ksh7 billion dispersed to counties for local climate action plans.
“This funding empowers communities to lead climate efforts tailored to their unique needs,” Mbadi explained.
Mbadi expressed hope that Kenya’s path forward will be marked by inclusion, shared responsibility, and resilience.
“Through devolution, we are weaving a stronger social fabric where no one is left behind,” he asserted.
Raila on counties
ODM leader Raila Odinga has called for a more deliberate and equitable transfer of resources and power from the national government to the counties, warning that the promise of devolution risks being undermined by weak implementation and centralised control.
Speaking on Thursday, August 14, 2025, at the Devolution Conference in Homa Bay, Odinga said devolution must go beyond tokenism and become a tool for genuine empowerment of local communities.
“We need to watch the transfer of power and resources from Nairobi. We have to continuously ensure local communities have access to the devolved power and resources and have the power to decide where funding goes and how the services and projects are run,” he said.
Raila, a key architect of Kenya’s 2010 Constitution that ushered in devolution, emphasised that the goal was to give counties not just responsibilities but the means to carry them out.
“Devolution is a process, not an event. It is about finding a balance between national and local aspirations. Local governments must have the freedom to determine their priorities,” Raila stated.
“Our counties will either be engines of innovation or bottlenecks of frustration: the choice is ours, and we must choose boldly. We must continue to push the National Government to stop micromanaging counties and to devolve power and resources. This, however, is not a call for war between the two levels of government.”
