Devolved Government and Local Governance in Kenya

Abstract

This work sets out the structure and potential benefits of decentralized government in Kenya and, against that background, advocates, provides justification for, and recommends a program of actions to build the required framework and institutions to underpin and support the devolved government structures that the 2010 constitution proposes for improving local and, consequently, national governance in the country. The potential benefits from devolved government are analyzed with critical examples drawing from Kenya’s current economic and political environment. Against that background, a program of actions is advocated and discussed to derive those benefits, as well as in accordance with the objectives and principles of devolved government spelled out in the 2010 constitution.