EDITORIAL: Devolution was never meant to be a feeding trough

More than Sh4 trillion has flowed to counties since 2013. That staggering sum was meant to bring services closer to the people, deepen democracy and correct decades of centralised neglect.

Instead, devolution is now staring at a crisis of credibility. Oversight — the very mechanism designed to protect public funds — is collapsing under the weight of political ambition, rivalry and institutional weakness.

Governors accuse senators of extortion. Senators accuse governors of plunder. Meanwhile, billions continue to move with little consequence for misuse.

When oversight hearings become campaign platforms for 2027 gubernatorial hopefuls, scrutiny turns suspect. When Members of County Assembly lack resources, expertise and independence, accountability becomes theatre.

And when investigative agencies sit on Senate recommendations year after year, impunity hardens. Reports are written. Recommendations are issued. Nothing happens.

The result is predictable: county executives grow bolder, assemblies grow weaker and citizens grow angrier.

In many counties, residents cannot point to infrastructure, health services or economic gains that justify the scale of allocations received.

The perception — and increasingly the reality — is that devolution has become a pipeline for unchecked spending. This trajectory is dangerous.

If oversight is weaponised for political battles, it loses legitimacy. If criminal investigations stall indefinitely, deterrence disappears. If MCAs remain underpowered, governors operate with near impunity.

Devolution was never meant to be a feeding trough. It was designed to be a vehicle for equity and development. Restoring its integrity requires three things: credible and non-partisan oversight, decisive investigative action and properly resourced county assemblies.

Without them, billions will continue to flow — and public trust will continue to drain. The country cannot afford to let devolution fail.

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