Millions allocated, but residents still wait for services

The government’s rush to create new administrative units has left many communities stranded without access to essential services, raising concerns about wasted resources and unfulfilled promises.

In counties such as Isiolo, Kilifi, Narok, and Turkana, newly established sub-counties, divisions, locations, and sub-locations remain non-operational, forcing residents to travel long distances for government services.

Despite being officially gazetted as early as 2022, these units have remained dormant due to a lack of funding, frustrating both the public and lawmakers.

Isiolo Woman Representative Mumina Bonaya brought the issue before Parliament, questioning why the units remain unused years after their creation.

“Residents of Isiolo County continue to travel long distances to access government services. The operationalization of these units would create employment opportunities for the youth and improve socio-economic development,” she said.

Budgetary Constraints Leave Units Dormant

Narok West MP Gabriel Tongoyo, who chairs the National Assembly Committee on Administration and Internal Security, revealed that 24 sub-counties, 88 divisions, 318 locations, and 674 sub-locations across the country remain non-operational due to budgetary constraints.

“The problem has always been money. The ministry received Sh284 million in the second supplementary budget to operationalize these units, but at least Sh500 million is required,” Tongoyo said.

The lack of funds has left communities struggling, with government offices remaining empty while appointed officials wait for operations to begin.

Kilgoris MP Julius Sunkuli noted that the problem is widespread, affecting most constituencies.

“This is an issue that affects many parts of the country. The ministry is aware of the challenges causing the non-operation of these units,” he said.

Some MPs believe the situation is a result of political decisions rather than practical solutions. Marakwet East MP Kangongo Bowen criticized the trend of every new Cabinet Secretary creating administrative units without ensuring existing ones function properly.

“There are so many administrative units, some of which were created three years ago since they were gazetted and have never been operationalized. You will find that every Cabinet Secretary who comes to this office creates so many administrative units in their villages and gazettes them and they do it without a budget,” Bowen said.

Kilifi North MP Owen Baya echoed similar frustrations, revealing that he has five chiefs and assistant chiefs in his constituency who were appointed to run these newly created units but are still receiving salaries despite having no operational offices.

Legislators have warned that the continued appointment of chiefs and assistant chiefs without ensuring operational budgets is an unsustainable trend that must be urgently addressed.

“This issue must be addressed to bring services closer to the people. The government should prioritize making the current units operational before creating new ones,” Turkana East MP Nixon Ngikor said.

With frustration mounting, MPs are now pushing for a clear policy on the establishment of administrative units. They warn that politically motivated decisions have left citizens without the services they were promised.

Many residents, meanwhile, continue to wait, wondering when the units will finally open their doors and serve the purpose they were meant for.