Devolution's Broken Promise: A Call to Account for Kenya's County Governments

 Devolution's Broken Promise: A Call to Account for Kenya's County Governments

When Kenya embraced devolution, it was hailed as a revolutionary step, a promise to decentralize power and bring development closer to the people. The vision was clear: empowered counties, responsive local governments, and a direct assault on poverty by channelling resources to where they were most needed. Yet, a decade and a half later, the dream is rapidly dissolving into a nightmare of blatant wastage, pervasive corruption, and a shocking lack of priority in public spending. The recent reports from the Controller of Budget are not just statistical anomalies; they are a damning indictment, a mirror reflecting a disturbing descent into moral decay and the illogical administration of public finances at the county level.

                                                         The Council of Governors in a past meeting

The data consistently tells a grim story. Year after year, the Controller of Budget's reports highlight an alarming trend: recurrent expenditure continues to dwarf development spending. In the 2023/2024 financial year, for instance, county governments spent a staggering 76% of their total budget on recurrent expenditures, leaving a paltry 24.4% for development. This means that for every Kshs. 100 allocated to counties, a mere Kshs. 24 is invested in projects that directly benefit citizens – roads, hospitals, schools, water projects – the very essence of what devolution was meant to deliver. The remaining Kshs. 76, a colossal sum, disappears into salaries, perks, foreign travel, lavish entertainment, and other non-developmental expenditures that often serve only to line the pockets of a select few.

This is not just poor financial management; it is a profound betrayal of the public trust. The escalating poverty levels across the country stand in stark contrast to the enormous resources channelled to county governments. Billions of shillings, meant to lift communities out of squalor, are instead being siphoned off, leaving ghost projects, unequipped health facilities, and dilapidated infrastructure as monuments to graft. The common Kenyan, who diligently pays their taxes, is left to wonder: where is the promised development? Where are the dividends of devolution?

Perhaps the most disappointing aspect of this financial morass is the complicity of the County Assemblies. These legislative bodies, composed of Members of County Assembly (MCAs), are constitutionally mandated to provide oversight, scrutinize budgets, and ensure the prudent utilization of public funds. They are the watchdogs, the first line of defense against executive excesses and financial impunity.

Yet, time and again, MCAs have proven to be part of the problem, not the solution. Instead of holding the executive accountable, many have become willing participants in the feast of public resources. Reports abound of MCAs demanding hefty "facilitation fees" to pass budgets, turning a blind eye to questionable tenders, and even actively engaging in dubious contracts. Their own emoluments and allowances often consume a disproportionate share of the county budget, further eroding the funds available for essential services. The very individuals elected to protect the public purse are now among the most notorious vultures mauling it. This systemic failure of oversight has created an environment ripe for corruption, where impunity reigns supreme and accountability is a rare commodity.

The unfortunate truth is that for many counties, devolution has become a thinly veiled decentralization of corruption. The centralized corruption of yesteryears has simply fragmented and proliferated across 47 new centres of power. The tenderpreneur culture thrives, inflated invoices are the norm, and kickbacks are an open secret. Projects are launched with much fanfare, only to stall or be delivered at exorbitant costs, with shoddy workmanship, or sometimes, not at all. The direct impact of this fiscal malfeasance is felt keenly by citizens: crumbling health systems, inadequate water supply, impassable roads, and a general stagnation of socio-economic progress.

The initial promise of devolution – to bring services closer to the people and foster local economic growth – remains largely unfulfilled in too many corners of the country. Instead, it has fostered a new class of local elites, enriched at the expense of their constituents, while the majority continue to grapple with the harsh realities of poverty.

This trend cannot, and must not, be allowed to continue. The trajectory is unsustainable, threatening to unravel the very fabric of our national development. Several crucial steps must be taken to restore sanity and accountability in county public finance management:

·       Strengthen Oversight Institutions: The Office of the Controller of Budget and the Auditor General must be empowered further, adequately resourced, and their recommendations acted upon swiftly. Their reports should not just gather dust; they must be the basis for concrete action, including investigations and prosecutions.

·       Enhance Citizen Participation and Demand for Accountability: Citizens, as the ultimate beneficiaries and taxpayers, must become more vigilant and demand accountability from their elected officials. Public forums, social audits, and community-led initiatives to track expenditure can put pressure on county governments.

·       Reform Electoral Processes and Leadership Vetting: The quality of leadership at the county level is paramount. Stricter vetting processes for aspirants for both gubernatorial and MCA positions are necessary to weed out individuals with questionable integrity. Citizens must also vote wisely, prioritizing competence and integrity over tribal affiliations or short-term handouts.

·       Enforce the Law and Prosecute the Corrupt: The existing legal frameworks for public finance management are robust, but their enforcement is often weak. The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) must be relentless in pursuing and prosecuting those involved in corruption, irrespective of their political standing. Swift and decisive justice will send a clear message.

·       Prioritize Development Expenditure: County governments must be compelled to shift their focus from recurrent expenditure to development. Mechanisms, perhaps legislative, could be explored to cap recurrent spending as a percentage of the total budget, freeing up more resources for tangible projects.

If this culture of wastage, corruption, and misplaced priorities is allowed to fester, Kenya risks a complete erosion of public trust in its devolved governance system. The promise of devolution, once a beacon of hope, will fade into a bitter memory, leaving behind a legacy of squandered opportunities and entrenched poverty. The time for hard-hitting action, from all stakeholders, is now. Our future depends on it.

Ndungata