By Robert Nyasato
Twelve years into devolution, governors continue to shoulder most of the public criticism for stalled services and slow development. Yet, perhaps the time has come for Kenyans to look elsewhere for answers.
Much of the responsibility lies with Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) — the very people entrusted with driving good governance and ensuring prudent use of public resources.
When a county falls behind, it is often a sign that ward representatives have fallen asleep at the wheel, even as governors bear the brunt of public frustration.
The 2010 Constitution deliberately vested extensive powers in MCAs, giving them legislative, representative and oversight authority similar to that exercised by MPs over national government.
If these powers were used effectively, even the laziest or least disciplined governor would be compelled to deliver for the people.
Devolution was crafted to decentralise power and resources, pushing decision-making to the grassroots.
MCAs were meant to be the watchdogs — the ones summoning governors to explain how funds were spent, and when necessary, initiating impeachment for abuse of office.
Instead, the lack of development seen across many counties suggests a worrying truth: some MCAs appear to be working too closely with the very executives they are meant to hold accountable.
There is hope that the recent Senate-backed financial autonomy for county assemblies may strengthen their independence and sharpen their oversight teeth.
Still, many MCAs continue to claim credit for development projects, despite this being the official responsibility of governors and their executive teams.
Their true work lies in ensuring that county budgets reflect the priorities of residents, and that taxation and policies support — rather than cripple — local businesses.
If MCAs exercised even a fraction of the authority entrusted to them, devolution would flourish as the Constitution intended: shifting power and resources closer to the people who need them most.
-The author is a member of the Kisii Press Club