Council of Governors Labels President Ruto a “Threat to Kenya’s Devolution System”

President William Ruto has been labeled a threat to Kenya’s devolution system by the Council of Governors (CoG), which accuses his administration of undermining the principles of decentralized governance enshrined in the 2010 Constitution. The CoG, representing Kenya’s 47 governors, expressed alarm over what it perceives as deliberate attempts by the national government to weaken devolution through actions that encroach on counties’ autonomy. Specifically, the council highlighted the transfer of key functions such as water and irrigation services, library services, and firefighting services from counties to the national government, a move they argue violates constitutional provisions. These transfers, according to the CoG, have been executed without meaningful consultation with county governments, disregarding the spirit of cooperative governance.

The CoG further criticized the national government for delaying the disbursement of funds to counties, which has crippled their ability to deliver essential services like healthcare and early childhood education. The council pointed out that the National Treasury’s failure to release funds on time has led to operational challenges, including unpaid salaries for county workers and stalled development projects. Additionally, the CoG accused the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) of unlawfully withholding County Own Source Revenue (OSR) collections, further straining county budgets. The council also raised concerns about the Affordable Housing Project, claiming it infringes on counties’ mandates over housing and urban development, as the national government has proceeded without involving governors in its implementation.

In a strongly worded statement, the CoG condemned legislative proposals in Parliament that seek to claw back devolved functions, such as the management of public markets, to the national government. The council argued that these bills, if passed, would reverse the gains of devolution, which has empowered counties to address local needs more effectively. The CoG called on the national government to respect the constitutional framework, engage in good-faith consultations, and cease actions that undermine devolution. The council urged Kenyans to remain vigilant in defending the devolution gains, emphasizing that the system has been critical in promoting equitable development across the country since its inception.