08/04/2026
No More Rubber Stamping: Oversight Must Be Real
Devolution in Kenya was established under the Constitution of Kenya 2010 to bring services closer to the people, promote equity, and strengthen public participation. Central to this system is accountability, as emphasized in Article 10 (national values), Article 174 (objects of devolution), and Article 201 (public finance principles), which demand transparency, integrity, and responsible use of public resources.
The Senate of Kenya is constitutionally mandated under Article 96 to protect counties and oversee the use of national revenue allocated to them. This includes summoning governors to account for financial management and service delivery. This oversight role is not political harassment it is a legal duty to ensure public resources are used properly.
In contrast, the Council of Governors is a coordination and advocacy body for county governments. It facilitates inter-county collaboration and engagement with the national government but has no constitutional mandate to audit or oversee public funds.
The real problem arises when oversight is weakened or ignored. Many MCAs act as rubber stamps, failing to question misuse of funds or stalled projects. When local oversight fails, the Senate must intervene, and citizens are left confused about who is truly responsible. As the Constitution emphasizes, there can be no devolution without accountability.
Citizens have the constitutional right to demand transparency, ask where funds are going, why projects stall, and why essential services such as healthcare, water, and infrastructure sometimes fail. Public participation must go beyond perfunctory meetings it must be meaningful, informed, and acted upon by county leaders.
Ultimately, the success of devolution depends on real oversight, active citizen engagement, and leaders who honor their constitutional duties. MCAs must stop rubber stamping and start asking tough questions; governors must be transparent; and the people must demand accountability. Devolution must serve the citizens, not the interests of a few.
