Decentralisation happens when some of the decisions government makes around service delivery are moved from the center and brought closer to the communities it intends to serve. Devolution is the strongest form of decentralisation as it creates local governments that are elected by the citizens and make autonomous decisions on service delivery.

The 2010 Constitution states that all sovereign power belongs to the people of Kenya and citizens may exercise this power either directly or through their democratically elected representatives at the national and county level (Art 1). Each level of government has a legislative and executive branch. The Judiciary represents the third branch of government serving both the National and County Governments.

Note that the Constitution does not imply hierarchical relationships between national and county governments, rather states that the two levels of government are “distinct and inter-dependent” and should engage with each other on the basis of consultation and cooperation (Art. 6). Nonetheless, it also assigns to the National Parliament a primary role in setting common standards for financial management and other policies of national interest.

Objectives of Devolution

Kenya embarked on this ambitious and far-reaching reform process – devolution – with a clear set of objectives: (Art. 174):

• to promote democratic and accountable exercise of power;
• to foster national unity by recognising diversity;
• to give powers of self-governance to the people and enhance their participation in governance;
• to recognise the right of communities to manage their own affairs;
• to protect and promote the interests and rights of minorities and marginalised communities;
• to promote social and economic development and the provision of proximate, easily accessible services throughout Kenya;
• to ensure equitable sharing of national and local resources throughout Kenya;
• to facilitate the decentralisation of State organs, their functions and services, from the capital of Kenya; and
• to enhance checks and balances and the separation of powers.

These objectives, together with the national values and principles of governance listed in Art. 10 – that include sharing and devolution of power, democracy and participation of the people equity, social justice, integrity, transparency and accountability – should always guide the governance of counties.

To learn more about the administrative, fiscal and political dimensions of devolution follow the links below:

1. County Functions and Services
2. County revenues
3. Political Representation and IGR space