Sossion: Reducing number of counties won’t end corruption
Former Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary-General Wilson Sossion has pushed back against recent proposals to reduce the number of counties, saying the move will do little to curb rampant corruption in government.
Sossion’s utterances come amid a push by the ODM leader, Raila Odinga, for a referendum to amend the 2010 constitution.
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Speaking on a local TV station on Thursday, August 28, 2025, Sossion called for a united national approach to tackling the vice rather than structural changes to the devolved system.
“Reducing the number of counties does not reduce corruption. Let us have a Damascus moment and unanimously agree to fight corruption. By doing so, devolution will bear true meaning and deliver benefits to the people at the grassroots,” he said.
The remarks also come at a time when several political leaders and policy makers have revived debates about merging or scrapping some counties as a way to cut costs and enhance efficiency.
Supporters of the proposal argue that consolidating counties could help eliminate duplication of services, reduce wage bills, and streamline development plans. However, critics, including Sossion, warn that such moves risk undermining the spirit of devolution without addressing the root causes of mismanagement.
He emphasised that the true promise of devolution lies in its ability to empower local communities, but only if corruption is tackled decisively.
“What we need is not fewer counties, but cleaner governance,” he said.
Sossion challenged leaders and institutions to stop scapegoating devolution and instead focus on enforcing accountability mechanisms.
“We must not allow corruption to be disguised as inefficiency in governance structures. The people at the grassroots deserve better, and that starts with integrity,” he stated.
The move comes at a time when many Kenyans are frustrated by repeated graft scandals, including cases of missing development funds, inflated procurement deals, and misuse of public resources across both levels of government.
He urged citizens, political leaders, and civil society to rally behind anti-corruption efforts to restore public trust and unlock the full potential of decentralised governance.
“Let us focus our energy on fighting corruption collectively. That is how we will make devolution meaningful,” Sossion remarked.
