Counties in Kenya are set to assume all remaining devolved functions valued at over Sh150 billion by July next year, following comprehensive resource allocation and legal delineation processes.

This milestone development stems from a consensus between the national government and the Intergovernmental Relations Technical Committee, as guided by the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution.

Kipkurui Chepkwony, CEO of the committee, highlighted that the process, initiated two years ago, involved extensive consultations and culminated in the publication of a legal notice in December 2024.

This notice specified the functions slated for transfer, marking a crucial step towards enhancing local governance.

Dr. Chepkwony emphasized ongoing engagements with principal secretaries from affected ministries to finalize the transition logistics.

"This includes determining specific human and financial resources tied to the functions listed in the gazette notice," he stated, adding that financial transfers are expected in the upcoming budget cycle ending June 30, 2027.

The transition will render some current national government mandates redundant, necessitating legislative reviews by both the National Assembly and the Senate to align existing laws with the evolving governance structure.

The official gazetting of pending functions in December 2024 followed meticulous resource identification and allocation.

Saadia Kontoma, vice chairperson of the committee, underscored the collaborative efforts between national and county governments in building consensus throughout the process.

"Ninety-four pieces of legislation with gaps hindering devolution were identified," she noted, emphasizing the need to harmonize these legal frameworks to fully realize Kenya’s devolved governance system.

Michael Lenasalon, Principal Secretary for Devolution, described devolution as a progressive journey towards full implementation, emphasizing its role in bringing services closer to the people, as envisioned in the 2010 Constitution.

Judith Pareno, PS for Justice and Constitutional Affairs, praised devolution as a transformative reform benefiting historically marginalized communities, citing the transfer of 61 libraries and associated assets to counties in 2023 as a key milestone.

This upcoming transfer of responsibilities marks a significant phase in Kenya’s decentralization efforts, aimed at strengthening service delivery and enhancing local governance across the nation.