Chapter six of the constitution lays down the expected attributes of people who hold public offices, including those at the devolved units. Article 73 (2)(d) calls for state officers to be accountable to the public for their decisions and actions.
When Kenyans in their large numbers voted for the current constitution, two things were very critical; chapter four on the bill of rights and chapter six on leadership and accountability. This was because Kenyans had since independence been subjected to various regimes which had no regard for people welfare and human rights. Leaders who were law unto themselves and operated in total disregard to the rule of law, often corrupting systems for their own benefit, had further exacerbated this delinquency.
The Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission (EACC), is zeroing on sixteen counties (34%) which have been named as hotbeds of fraud. The counties under probe over billions in graft war into alleged misuse of billions of shillings through alleged theft, conflict of interest money laundering, and tender awards to family and associates include Nakuru, Trans Nzoia, Nairobi, Migori, Vihiga, West Pokot, Kajado, Marsabit, Tharaka Nithi, Meru, HomaBay, Trans-Nzoia, Wajir, Samburu, Makueni, Kakamega and Siaya.
With billions of shillings missing and or not being accounted for, it raises the question of not just the level of integrity on the part of our leaders but also the bigger question of poor service delivery occasioned by graft at the devolved levels.
The noble idea to bring services and localized decision-making process is being tainted by the very people elected to the leadership positions in county governments. Over four Counties of Kajiado, Nairobi, West Pokot and Migori are on the EACC’s radar of misappropriation of over Ksh. 6.3 billion. A quick calculation would tell you how this would translate in providing quality healthcare and supporting education quality basic education in those four devolved units.
Lack of timely and decisive action by the DCI and the EACC to arrest and prosecute those involved in corruption has bred wanton impunity and therefore sitting county leadership tends to inherit, perpetuate and perfect graft. Years after Governors left offices, it is abit disheartening for Kenyans to learn that their cases are still dragging in courts. The Auditor General’s office has been tabling annual financial reports with very clear details of graft within devolved units. Why would it take so many years running around in the disguise of investigations? Simply conclude this circus in the shortest time possible.
Kenyans have been classified as some of the very ambitious and optimistic people in the world. One the wonders they hope for is to climb the ladder and achieve the status of development as achieved by Singapore. However, one of the stairs to climb is engraved with words of its former leader, Lee Kuan Yew, a political leader and barrister who served as former Prime Minister of Singapore from 1959 to 1990, whose famous words, “If you want to defeat corruption be prepared to send your friends and relatives to jail.” I bet this is the first and the most tedious stair to start the climb which Kenyans in their true spirit of ‘’Mtu Wetu’’ (Our Kin) syndrome are not ready to lift their limbs and spirits.
A good reflection of insolence, misuse of resources and mediocrity was showcased during the 2025 ‘’Devolution Conference.’’ Save for the Murang’a County delegation led by Governor Irungu Kang’ata, Kenyans were treated to a theatre of absurdity in what one of my confidants described as ‘’Devolved our-turn-to-eat mantra.’’ However, the overarching theme of conference was dubbed, For the People, For Prosperity: Devolution as a Catalyst for Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice, its shocking that in the main speeches and side events, no one felt the need to discuss graft and its impact on peoples’ prosperity.
In the 2025 Devolution Conference, Kenyans were treated to exhibitions worse that presentations made by village schools during science congress fairs. Bizarre exhibitions of beehives, honey topped the list of the jokes that were presented to display the prowess and investments by County Governments and other stakeholders. This is at the expense of the hundreds of millions, and perhaps billions that were gobbled up in terms of per diem, transport, display and other costs.
If truly, Kenya wants to fight impunity and corruption, that war must also be devolved. We need the EACC, DCI and other investigative agencies to train their lenses on the county governments. The corruption at that level is just nauseating.
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