By Peace Muthoka.
The Kenya Devolution Civil Society Working Group (KDCWG) has delivered a scathing rebuke to the national government, accusing it of systematically dismantling devolution and dragging the country back to the days of centralized, politically controlled development.
Speaking during a press briefing in Nairobi, Evans Kibet of the North Rift Regional Economic Bloc said the dream of devolution is under siege from powerful forces within government, with county leaders now being forced to seek favors at State House rather than receiving constitutionally guaranteed funding.
“Leaders are once again carrying begging bowls to State House. This isn’t progress it’s betrayal. What we are seeing is not devolution; it is recentralization through the backdoor,” Kibet stated.
The civil society group, which brings together networks from all 47 counties, decried the continued use of unconstitutional funding channels like the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) and newly introduced “presidential development initiatives.”
These, the group says, are being used to bypass both county governments and Parliament’s authority over public funds, fueling political patronage and weakening accountability.
Kibet revealed that despite President William Ruto’s promises, the long-awaited Omnibus Bill which outlines the framework for transferring functions to counties remains stuck at the Attorney General’s office.
Meanwhile, the National Treasury has allegedly withheld Ksh. 272 billion in funds already costed for devolved functions, including agriculture, rural roads, healthcare, and markets.“We were expecting at least Ksh. 677 billion in the 2025/26 Division of Revenue to cover these gaps. Anything less is a direct assault on county governments and the people they serve,” Kibet said.
The group issued a strong call to the Senate to reject the revived NG-CDF Bill, warning that it violates the Constitution and court rulings by turning constituencies into parallel development units a role legally reserved for counties.
“NG-CDF undermines separation of powers, weakens oversight, and turns development into a political campaign tool,” Kibet warned.KDCWG also blasted the Devolution Conference, calling it an elitist affair that excludes ordinary citizens and grassroots voices.
The group wants it restructured and made affordable, transparent, and accessible to all.In their final declaration, KDCWG issued six clear demands: immediate transfer of all devolved functions and resources, full funding for counties, outright rejection of the NG-CDF Bill, an end to State House-controlled development, restoration of Parliament’s role in budgeting, and greater citizen involvement in governance.
“Devolution was meant to empower communities, not chain them to State House politics,” Kibet said. “We must return to the true spirit of the Constitution where development is about equity, not loyalty.”
