The Bill is sponsored by the Leader of the Majority Party, Kimani Ichung'wah. /PARLIAMENTThe National Assembly will conduct a second phase of public hearings on a Bill seeking to abolish six regional development authorities.
The National Assembly Departmental Committee on Regional Development has scheduled the hearings for Friday, October 23, in Kilifi, Kisumu and Embu counties, as Parliament continues to seek public input on the proposed law.
The hearings will run from 9 am to noon at the County Commissioner's Boardroom in Kilifi, the County Commissioner's Social Hall in Kisumu and the Kenya School of Government in Embu.
Members of the public and other stakeholders have been invited to attend the forums, make oral representations, submit written memoranda and discuss the provisions of the Regional Development Authorities Laws (Repeal) Bill, 2026.
The Bill, sponsored by the Leader of the Majority Party, Kimani Ichung'wah, seeks to dissolve the six regional development authorities and transfer their rights, obligations, assets and liabilities to the National Treasury.
The entities targeted for abolition are the Kerio Valley Development Authority, Lake Basin Development Authority, Tana and Athi Rivers Development Authority, Ewaso Ng'iro South Development Authority, Ewaso Ng'iro North Development Authority and Coast Development Authority.
The proposed legislation seeks to repeal the respective laws that established the six agencies, paving the way for their dissolution and the transfer of their responsibilities and outstanding obligations.
Under the proposed arrangements, the National Treasury would take over the authorities' assets and liabilities, while their employees would be transferred to the Public Service Commission.
The Bill also provides for the continuation of existing loans, credit facilities, securities, contracts, agreements and legal proceedings involving the authorities upon the repeal of the establishing laws.
The government has argued that abolishing the agencies would align development functions with the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution, which distributes responsibilities between the national and county governments.
The proposed changes are also intended to reduce pressure on public finances, eliminate duplication and improve efficiency, accountability and service delivery.
However, the proposal has attracted opposition from civil society organisations, regional councils and other stakeholders concerned about the implications for local development programmes, community projects and the future of employees.
The Kenya Muslim National Advisory Council (Kemnac) is among the organisations that have urged Members of Parliament to reject the Bill, warning that dissolving the authorities could undermine efforts to revive local economies.
The first phase of public participation forums began on Friday, October 9, in Narok County.
The second phase of hearings will provide another opportunity for affected communities and other interested parties to present their concerns and recommendations before the committee finalises its consideration of the Bill.
The proposed law has already been read for the first time in the National Assembly and referred to the Departmental Committee on Regional Development for consideration and reporting to the House.
The committee is conducting the hearings in accordance with the constitution, which requires Parliament to facilitate public participation in its legislative and other business, and Standing Order 127(3) of the National Assembly Standing Orders, which requires committees considering Bills to facilitate public participation.
The committee will consider the submissions as part of its scrutiny of the proposed legislation before reporting to the House.
