Kenyans back devolution, demand release of withheld county funds

From left, Halima Shariff, CEO for Women of Hope Abled Differently (WOHAD) Melanie Omengo Twaweza East Africa Regional Manager and Kenya Devolution CSO’s convener Evans Kibet. [Juliet Omelo, Standard]

A majority of Kenyans support devolution and want the national government to release funds owed to counties immediately, according to new survey from the Kenya Devolution Sector Working Group (KDSWG) and Twaweza.

The polls, conducted between March and August among more than 5,600 respondents, show 71.2 per cent of citizens remain satisfied with devolution since its inception in 2013.

At least 48 per cent are happy with its current trajectory. Improved access to services (66 per cent) and greater citizen inclusion (13 per cent) were the most cited benefits.

However, 74.2 percent oppose the withholding of county funds, and 76.7 percent want the money released without delay to sustain essential services.

The findings reveal a paradox: strong faith in devolution but deepening frustration with national leadership.

Twaweza’s Melania Omengo said gaps in accountability, weak public engagement, and uneven service delivery undermine devolution’s potential.

WOHAD Chief Executive Officer Halima Shariff noted that 58 per cent of Kenyans have never seen county planning consultations, while nearly three-quarters say the outcomes of public participation are rarely shared.

Kenya Devolution Sector Working Group (KDSWG) National Convener Evans Kibet called the upcoming 2025 Devolution Conference a “critical opportunity” to pass the long-delayed national public participation bill and tackle corruption, poor governance, and weak citizen engagement.

The survey also found low confidence in government accountability: 68.7 per cent are dissatisfied with resource management, 76 per cent with contract transparency, and 72.4 per cent have witnessed bribery or misuse of resources. Most did not report incidents, citing fear, mistrust, or lack of awareness.

Beyond devolution, 65 per cent of Kenyans are dissatisfied with democracy’s performance, 56 per cent with constitutionalism and rule of law, and many point to abductions of critics and curbs on free expression as signs of decline.

Still, 71 per cent see democracy and human rights as essential to Kenya’s development, and 30 per cent have greater trust in Gen Z to act in the public interest than in traditional institutions such as the presidency, Parliament, or police.