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How governors are failing the 2010 Constitution and killing devolution dream
31st August, 2025 07:31 AM
When Kenyans overwhelmingly voted for the 2010 Constitution, they were not just casting ballots; they were casting a vision.
A vision of equitable development, grassroots empowerment, and a government that works for the people, not against them. Central to that vision was devolution, a system that promised to bring services, resources, and accountability closer to the wananchi.
Fifteen years later, that promise lies in shambles in many counties, and the blame rests squarely with governors who have turned public offices into personal estates.
From persistent wrangles with Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) to the frequent drama of impeachment motions, many county governments have been reduced to political theatres.
The people who were entrusted with the power to transform counties into engines of progress now spend their time consolidating power, silencing dissent, and shielding themselves from oversight.
The counties were meant to serve the people; instead, they are serving the egos and interests of a few.
It is telling that in nearly every budget cycle, more money is allocated to administrative costs, flashy vehicles, travel allowances, and benchmarking trips than to health, education, agriculture, or water infrastructure. How much does it really cost to serve the people diligently? Not as much as it costs to fund inflated procurement deals, ghost projects, or nepotistic hiring practices.
Corrupted by absolute power
Many governors operate like untouchable CEOs, not public servants. They surround themselves with loyalists, punish critics, and dodge accountability mechanisms. Public participation, a core pillar of the Constitution, is now often reduced to staged meetings where decisions are rubber-stamped, not questioned.
What is worse, the electorate seems trapped in a cycle of political patronage. When governors underperform, they shift the blame to the national government or MCAs. Yet the Constitution is clear: county governments are responsible for delivering key services to the people, health, agriculture, roads, and basic infrastructure.
The rot is not just at the top; it is deeply rooted in a culture of impunity, corruption, and political gamesmanship. But it is not too late.
Kenyans must demand better. Oversight institutions must step up. The Senate must stop playing politics and start defending devolution. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission must go beyond press briefings. Civil society must wake up. The devolution dream was hard-won. It must not be lost to incompetence and greed.
The 2010 Constitution handed power to the people. It is time the people reclaimed it.
