Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader Raila Odinga has unveiled a raft of proposals to strengthen Kenya’s devolved system of governance, saying the adjustments would boost efficiency and autonomy in counties 12 years after devolution was rolled out.
Speaking at the annual devolution conference in Homa Bay on Thursday, Raila proposed that governors who serve a maximum of two terms be entitled to pensions, just like Members of Parliament, arguing this would recognise their contribution and promote good governance during their tenure.
''In parliament, we did an amendment so that any MP who serves two terms is entitled to a pension. Why can’t we do the same for governors?'' Raila posed.
The former Prime Minister also emphasised the need to limit the National Government’s control and stop its micromanagement of county affairs.
On oversight, Raila criticised the Senate for summoning governors, saying the role should rest solely with county assemblies.
“County governments are supposed to be oversighted by county assemblies, not the Senate. It is unnecessary for the Senate to summon governors to appear in Nairobi,” he said, suggesting county-level Public Accounts and Investments Committees question County Executive Committee members instead.
Changes to Devolution
Meanwhile, Raila maintained that national highways and trunk roads should remain under the national government to preserve uniform infrastructure standards, but called for more powers to be transferred to counties for functions that directly affect local communities.
He further called for the devolution of key investigative and enforcement agencies on graft, such as the anti-graft bodies' roles, saying this would make it easier to curb embezzlement and misconduct in counties.
He also urged the creation of incentive programmes where the national government rewards counties that provide the best services, warning against centralism.
“Centralism comes with some bad habits. It thrives on keeping the whole country waiting for Nairobi to make decisions on very local issues that Nairobi knows little or nothing about.''
Adding that, ''We must ensure communities have access to devolved power and resources and decide where funding goes and how services are run.”
Education
On education, he pushed for the sector to be fully devolved from primary to secondary level. Currently, county governments are only mandated to oversee the running and management of Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) centres.
“The time has come for Kenya to devolve education up to secondary school. It makes no sense for the CS of Education to inspect primary school structures. It’s a shame. That should be done by governors,” he noted.
NG-CDF & NGAAF
Raila also called for the transfer of all funds currently managed under the National Government Constituencies Development Fund (NG-CDF) and the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) to county governments.
He argued that, in the interest of efficiency and improved service delivery, these funds have become obsolete under the current constitutional framework and no longer serve a meaningful role in Kenya’s devolved system.
