County powers’ transfer should be the last option

On Tuesday, President Uhuru Kenyatta presided over a ceremony in which the Nairobi County Government handed over most of its powers and functions to the national government.

The action relied on Article 187 of the Constitution, which allows functions and powers of government at one level to be transferred to a government at another level. In 2015, the president opted not to dissolve Makueni County Government under Article 192 despite the Nyaoga Taskforce recommendation to dissolve it. In exercise of his discretion, the president considered the circumstances not warranting a suspension.