President William Ruto has arrived in Homa Bay for the 2025 Devolution Conference, which will officially begin tomorrow.

The president is expected to set the tone for the conference, outlining his administration’s vision for strengthening devolution and ensuring it benefits all Kenyans.

This year’s forum carries the theme “For the People, For Prosperity: Devolution as a Catalyst for Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice,” and is aimed at evaluating how devolution can speed up development and bridge socio-economic gaps.

The four-day gathering, hosted at Homa Bay High School, marks the ninth Devolution Conference since the Council of Governors adopted a biennial schedule to allow counties enough time to put past resolutions into action.

The sub-theme for 2025 is “Re-engineering County Governments to Accelerate Development and Close the Socio-Economic Divide.”

Pre-conference activities kicked off on Tuesday, giving the host county a vibrant cultural and recreational showcase. Visitors were treated to boat races on Lake Victoria, traditional wrestling matches, and the popular East African board game Ajua.

The activities brought together delegates, residents, and cultural groups, highlighting the region’s heritage and community spirit.

Council of Governors CEO Mary Mwiti said this year’s discussions will focus on strengthening governance systems, promoting human rights, and finding practical ways to finance equity and inclusion at the county level.

She added that the final day, Friday, will be dedicated to adopting resolutions to guide county governments in the next phase of devolution. Mwiti also noted that all 36 resolutions made during the last conference in Uasin Gishu had been successfully implemented, a sign that the gatherings are delivering tangible results.

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga is scheduled to speak to delegates on Thursday, likely sharing his perspective on how county governments can be better positioned to serve citizens. Deputy President Kithure Kindiki will close the event on Friday.

The Devolution Conference has grown into one of Kenya’s most important governance forums, bringing together leaders from the national and county levels, development partners, civil society, and the private sector.

This year’s edition is expected to produce a fresh set of actionable resolutions aimed at ensuring counties not only deliver services effectively but also play a central role in reducing inequality and fostering inclusive growth.