Raila: Kenya is ripe for a three-tier governance system
The Orange Democratic Movement Party Leader, Raila Odinga, has rallied for a three-tier governance structure in Kenya.
Speaking at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre (KICC) on Wednesday, August 27, 2025, during Katiba Day celebrations, Raila said Kenya is ripe for a broader conversation on how devolution can be made more effective.
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According to the opposition chief, the current system of 47 counties is too fragmented to deliver meaningful development.
“The time has come for the country to re-examine the whole issue of devolution.
“Kenya, in my view, is too tiny for 47 devolved units; we are just five short of the US, which is a continent.
“Nigeria, with 200 million people, has 34 plus Abuja, South Africa has 9. I won’t advocate for the abolishment of any county, but I believe we are ripe for a three-tier system that has national, regional and counties,” Raila remarked.
Expanding devolution
Raila explained that a three-tier governance system would not dismantle existing counties but instead create a structured regional level that can coordinate broader development.
In his view, the 2010 Constitution laid a solid foundation for devolution, but reforms are now needed to improve resource allocation and ensure equity across all regions.
He further argued that creating regional governments would help address disparities in development, strengthen accountability, and reduce duplication of functions between national and county governments.
Global comparisons
Raila drew comparisons with other nations, noting that Kenya’s population size does not justify the high number of devolved units.
By introducing a regional tier, he said, Kenya would align its governance system with global best practices that balance efficiency with inclusivity.
The ODM leader’s remarks come at a time when the government is under pressure to reassess the cost of running counties.
With recurrent expenditure consuming a significant portion of county budgets, experts say reforms are necessary to make devolution sustainable.
His proposal is expected to spark national debate, as it touches on one of the most sensitive issues in Kenya’s governance.
Supporters argue that a regional tier could strengthen economic blocs and foster integration, while critics warn it may reawaken old debates about regionalism and power distribution.
For Raila, however, the message was simple: Kenya must be bold enough to rethink devolution if it wants to achieve lasting prosperity.
