County assemblies have done well, but can do better with more funds

Meru county MCA'S sing praise and worship songs as the Assembly Speaker Ayub Bundi to give directions on impeachmemnt motion against Goverrnor Kawira Mwangaza. [George Kaimenyi, Standard]

One of the most phenomenal changes that was brought by the promulgation of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, was devolution. The March 2013 general election marked the official launch of devolution, leading to the establishment of 47 new county governments and 47 county assemblies. County governments were demarcated into wards and thus election of Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) to represent the said units.

The new MCAs had an arduous task of setting up county assemblies and ensuring smooth performance of their constitutional mandate at a time when there was no precedent to follow. The last time Kenya attempted this form of government (majimboism) was at independence and it barely lasted a year.