This archive report was first published on 4 July 2019.
Devolution in Kenya is facing a major challenge as county assemblies across the country are embroiled in chaos and conflicts. The situation has raised concerns about the ability of these assemblies to deliver on their mandate.
Recent incidents in Kisumu, Taita-Taveta, and Nairobi counties have highlighted the extent of the problem. In Kisumu, the county executive has accused the Speaker, Onyango Oloo, of working with MCAs to reject the 2019/20 budget, allegedly to undermine the devolved government.
Meanwhile, in Taita-Taveta, Governor Granton Samboja has signed a memorandum and petitioned President Uhuru Kenyatta to dissolve the county government over a budget impasse. In Nairobi, a chaotic debate in the county assembly saw MCAs reject a motion and attempt to take the mace, the symbol of the assembly's authority.
These incidents are reminiscent of the era of anarchy in county assemblies during the first term of devolution. In 2012, Makueni Governor Kivutha Kibwana wrote to President Kenyatta seeking dissolution of the county government due to irreconcilable differences.
However, the President declined, stating that the issues raised were not extreme enough to warrant dissolution. Nevertheless, the incident highlighted the risk of county assemblies being suspended under Article 192 of the Constitution, should they prove unable to operate due to conflicts.
The MCAs' indiscipline and turf wars with county governments are a major concern, as they undermine the assemblies' ability to provide leadership and serve the people. The rejection of budgets by MCAs is often driven by selfish interests, forcing governors to accede to demands that are often self-serving.
County assemblies represent the aspirations of the people at the local level, and their decisions shape what happens in communities. Therefore, MCAs are expected to display a high level of discipline and provide leadership.
We condemn the trend of conflicts at the assemblies, which threatens operations of counties and service delivery. MCAs must stop their unruly behaviour and provide leadership to ensure the success of devolution.
