This archive report was first published on 26 July 2019.
On July 26, 2019, President Uhuru Kenyatta's candid admission that the government cannot raise funding to counties due to a lack of cash sent shockwaves through the nation.
At the heart of this sobering reality lies a fundamental question: can counties sustain themselves as currently constituted? Devolution, a cornerstone of Kenya's governance structure, has been a game-changer since its inception in 2013, empowering citizens to make decisions on matters affecting their localities.
However, the counties' unsustainable funding model has become a pressing concern. The national government's allocation of at least 15% of the national income to counties, as mandated by the Constitution, is unrealistic. This model assumes that counties can raise additional incomes through levies and wealth-creating programs, but in reality, they have become heavy spenders, with the bulk of their income going towards salaries and benefits.
The bloated workforce, composed of non-productive workers enlisted through political and kinship networks, has contributed significantly to the counties' wage bills. Governors have also been criticized for flooding their offices with fanciful aides and advisers, who only add to the headcount cost without generating value.
Corruption and pilferage have further exacerbated the situation, with several governors and top county officials facing court cases or investigations. Annual reports by the Auditor-General have highlighted worrying levels of graft in counties, which remain unresolved and unpunished.
As the devolution dream hangs in the balance, it is imperative that we revisit the question of financing counties and devise a practical and sustainable model. The current system cannot last long, and it is time for Kenyans to critically debate the sustenance of county governments.
